Stories by Ruth Hill
News
Acute nationwide shortage of anaesthetic technicians 'a predictable problem'
There is a 16 percent shortage of anaesthetic technicians nationwide. Audio
Family forced from Lower Hutt home by slip says council complicit in extended hardship
The council lifted the dangerous building notice this week, but an expert pointed to its stormwater system as contributing to the slip, while the family's laywer claims the authority abused its power.
Corrected ED data to be published tomorrow - Verrall
The health minister says the incorrect data was not used to make decisions, and media reports that quoted her referring to it were false. Audio
GP group calls for vapes to be prescription-only
Doctors, public health experts and schools are among those calling for New Zealand authorities to make vapes prescription-only, like in Australia.
NZ-made Covid-19 testing device approved by US but not here
An Auckland biotech company is struggling to get its PCR testing device approved for use here, despite having twice been given the green light by the United States FDA.
Covid-19: Cases climbing as health system heads for a Christmas crunch
Healthcare professionals in holiday hotspots are bracing for an influx of Covid-19 patients, with one modeller warning Christmas week could see one-in-20 people infected.
OCR hike not fair or necessary, macroeconomics expert says
The Reserve Bank is wrong to make ordinary households pay the cost of bringing rampant inflation under control, according to one expert in macroeconomics.
Paediatric surgery in Wellington will not be fully-staffed until 2024
Children who need operations in Wellington and the lower North Island will continue to rely on out-of-town surgeons flying in for another two years.
Diabetic who uses glucose monitor says 'huge holes' in Pharmac's analysis
Insulin-dependent diabetics say Pharmac's decision to delay funding a potentially life-saving device appears to be based on flawed assessments.
New doctors 'often exposed to things not seen before'
Some newly-graduated doctors warn the lack of hands-on learning during their training has left them feeling ill-prepared for the reality of dealing with emergencies.
'Alarm bells were going off' - Complainants warn against 'sacred sexuality' courses
Some students and teachers of so-called "sacred sexuality" courses say those running them are turning a blind eye to predators. Warning: Contains sexual references
Puberty blocker use jumps as expert backs results
The number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they do not identify with their assigned gender has increased exponentially in the last decade, according to Pharmac data.
'Unfair' interview process forced false confession, says judge
A controversial police interrogation method that was implicated in a false confession is under fire from human rights lawyers, criminologists and psychologists.
Middlemore's fake doctor revelation shocks Linda Astor whistleblower
The whisteblower who unmasked bogus psychiatrist Linda Astor 25 years ago is shocked that a man with no medical qualifications was able to work at Middlemore Hospital this year.
Government's new literacy plan met with some skepticism
The government has unveiled what it is calling a radical plan to overhaul reading, writing and maths teaching after two decades of sliding literacy rates.
'They're using church connections to run their business and control people'
A cult-like church that exerts almost complete control over its members has metastasised into a multinational corporation with massive buying power.
'I was given all these envelopes, I didn't know what was in them'
The secretive, cult-like church says its members volunteer their time to contribute to society, but an RNZ investigation has found hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent every year to a Sydney…
New Zealand gangsters forging global networks - Customs warns
New Zealand Customs says local gangs are exploiting global networks and a security expert is warning authorities should pay heed to the warning.
Ban the bottle: 100,000 people sign petition
Environmental activists have presented a petition to ban single-use plastic bottles to Parliament today, with the backing of 100,000 signatures.
Consumer advocates call for smart-meters as power network shows signs of fragility
Following today's grid emergency, consumer advocates are calling on electricity companies to put power in the hands of the people and roll out smart-meters to avoid future outages. Audio
Nearly one in three nursing students drop out before qualifying
Financial pressure, family responsibilities and other factors made worse by Covid-19 are having an impact on whether students complete their courses.
Hutt Hospital patients, nurses say local health service vital
Patients and staff could start moving out of Hutt Hospital's quake-prone main block within weeks, according to Minister of Health Andrew Little.
Fee hike for land of 'no use to anyone else' angers Wellingtonians
Wellington residents and business owners who have to pay to use their own garages are furious at the city council's proposal to double their fees.
'An open prison': Report on asylum seekers' limbo
Asylum seekers are being set up to fail by denying them access to the same rights and supports available to other refugees, advocates say.
Slavery-free chocolate won't leave bad taste in your mouth this Easter
Thousands of New Zealand kids will enjoy Easter egg hunts this weekend without knowing that many of those treats were produced by other children working in the most punishing conditions.