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‘A song and a prayer’ is an interesting phrase. It combines a song (words set to music) and a prayer (a petition or address to God). Biblically, by combining emotional expression with spiritual devotion, it refers to the idea that music can serve as a form of prayer. ‘A song and a prayer’ has been Continue reading "It’s ‘a song and a prayer’: hidden cost of 1,300 unfilled nursing jobs"
There are occasions when a crisis in a particular hospital department provides a microscopic insight into the wider crisis across all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s acute public hospitals. One such occasion was an article by experienced Stuff journalist Janine Rankin published in the Manawatu Standard on 18 July: Orthopaedic department nears breaking point. Journalist Janine Rankin Continue reading "A…
The word locums originates from the Latin term ‘locum tenens’ which means ‘to hold the place of.’ Medical doctors and the clergy are where they are most likely to be found. Aotearoa New Zealand’s public hospitals operated by Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) are becoming increasingly dependent on ‘place-holder’ (locum) senior doctors (largely medical specialists). Continue reading "Public…
On 27 June the Otago Daily Times published a powerful paywalled article by journalist Matthew Littlewood on the concerns of a leading highly experienced blood cancer laboratory scientist who was resigning his position at Dunedin Hospital to take up a new position in Brisbane’s Princess Alexandria Hospital. The resignation was with a “heavy heart” and Continue reading "Hospital laboratory…
Dr Dylan Mordaunt is a vocationally registered specialist in medical administration, paediatrics and clinical genetics. In recent months he has become a prolific published writer on various health system and professional issues. Dr Dylan Mordaunt’s perceptive analysis of Health Minister’s ‘sacking’ of Medical Council leadership On 18 June he published on Substack a perceptive piece Continue…
It isn’t often that smaller provincial newspapers break revealing health stories. They struggle with fewer resources to call upon and few opportunities to report. However, health and general journalist Megan Wilson’s exposure is an exception in her article published in the Bay of Plenty Times on 20 June: Wait lists clinical prioritisation devalued. Your generosity has Continue reading "Health…
Through necessity bed-blocking is a term that of is increasingly being used by those working in Aotearoa New Zealand’s public hospitals. This is because it captures so precisely what is going so badly wrong in these places of more complex and acute healthcare provision. Bed-blocking occurs when there is an inability to use a designated Continue reading "Two different tales of avoidable hospital…
On 5 March the Government through Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) formally called for ‘Requests for Proposals’ (RFPs) for outsourcing (privatising) ophthalmology services in Aotearoa New Zealand’s public health system. Despite it being April Fools’ Day, the deadline was 1 April: Call for bids to privatising public eyecare. Successful RFPs would lead to funding Continue reading "The wider…
They’re the ones that would suffer…our elderly vulnerable community who are struggling with pensions, who are suddenly going to have to pay huge amounts of money for fuel to drive to Tauranga. GP Dr Vicky Jones brings to the fore the dire consequences of the pending loss of rural funding contracts This was the response Continue reading "Un-funding rural general practice"
‘Doing God’s work’ is an interesting expression, Usually it refers to performing acts that are virtuous, altruistic, or, in a religious sense, aligned with divine will. Often it is attributed to doing difficult or unpaid work that directly benefits others or society, and making a profound positive difference in people’s lives. God’s work evident in Continue reading "Hidden waiting list exposed;…
