Nelson Hospital was at 98 per cent occupancy in April. Davidsen said Nelson Hospital wasn’t under pressure, because the high level of occupancy was being managed as a backlog of elective procedures delayed by Covid was being worked through. “If the occupancy rate in the morning is very high, a team can still confidently prepare for elective surgeries planned for that afternoon knowing that the beds will be there when they are needed,” he said. ”Our planned care (elective surgery) teams are trying very hard to reschedule people’s procedures that had to be postponed during the 2020 lockdowns. Postponing planned care because of high occupancy rates is a last resort.”
A 43-year-old man has appeared in court following an alleged stabbing in Marlborough. The man, who has interim name suppression, has been charged with two counts of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was unable to have his first appearance at the Blenheim District Court on Monday as he needed a translator, and was held in custody overnight to a first appearance on Tuesday. Duty lawyer Josh Smith sought bail to a Marlborough address, which was not opposed by police. This was granted by Judge David Ruth on Tuesday. The man did not enter a plea.
Minister of Health Andrew Little reveals a major reform of the health system which will abolish all of the DHBs nationwide.
Concern the top of the south will be overlooked by a new health authority has punctuated reaction to the surprise decision to drop all district health boards. The Government will abolish the 20 district health boards and create a single health organisation, in a sweeping plan to centralise New Zealand’s fragmented healthcare system and end the “postcode lottery” of care. Health Minister Andrew Little on Wednesday announced the Government would create a national health organisation, akin to the United Kingdom’s NHS, and also a Māori Health Authority with spending power, and a new Public Health Authority to centralise public health work.
Decision to drop DHBs prompts fears for top of the south healthcare stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“I’m pleased I’ve done it. I wasn’t worried about it [the vaccination] . I’m probably more excited about having it done here and having it done with my whānau . to me that’s important,” Powick said. “It’s really critical that we get good information around our health, and that we take responsibility personally and collectively for our health practices.”
SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF
Waikawa Marae members, from left, George Aldridge Rita Powick, and Ngaro Moana Aldridge have a cup of tea after receiving their first dose of the Covid vaccine. The special clinic was a collaboration between Te Piki Oranga, Nelson Marlborough Health, the Marlborough Primary Health Organisation and Waikawa Marae.