WHO says malnutrition reaching ‘alarming levels' in Gaza
'Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July,'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
34 minutes ago
- Otago Daily Times
Teen's death exposed gaps in South Island healthcare: HDC decision
A teenager's death from complications after surgery revealed troubling gaps in complex care across the South Island at the time, the Health and Disability Commissioner says. The 19-year-old died in 2015 in circumstances where his family never had the chance to say goodbye. In addition, within minutes of them being told the teen was 'brain dead' they were asked if they would like to donate his organs. The teen's family was also told by a social worker that it was up to them to organise transportation of their son's body back to where they lived. A complaint to the coroner was referred to the HDC. In a decision released today, Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell found that Health NZ breached a section of the Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights code, around gaps in information and delays associated with the air retrieval team. She was also critical of why alternative transport options had not been considered for the teen who had been taken to and from various hospitals for specialised treatment and care. Health NZ had sincerely apologised for its departure from the standard of care. Death unexpected The teen died unexpectedly after suffering complications related to a postoperative wound infection. He had undergone elective surgery at a South Island tertiary hospital for the removal of benign tumours from his nervous system. Caldwell said it was complicated by postoperative infection and meningitis which required further hospitalisations at a secondary hospital and later, another tertiary hospital. The postoperative infection was treated successfully, but the teen continued to suffer complications. He was later re-admitted to hospital with ongoing headaches and vomiting but a further lumbar puncture was not done because of concerns over how the teen was coping. A decision was made to send him back to the tertiary hospital where the initial surgery was done, to insert a shunt to drain excess fluid surrounding his brain and spinal cord. Because he was considered 'neurologically stable' and there were operational delays by the air retrieval team, a decision was made to delay the transfer for a few days. While waiting, he collapsed and had a cardiac arrest. The neurosurgeon's team rushed to the hospital where he was and administered critical care but he continued to deteriorate. He was transferred back to the tertiary hospital but certified brain dead after he arrived. Outcome linked to delayed transfer Caldwell said there was dispute as to whether he would have benefited from an earlier transfer. Caldwell acknowledged the family's concerns regarding the neurosurgical care provided but she considered that Health NZ provided him with a reasonable standard of care. She said the teen's poor outcome was attributed to the delay by the air retrieval team in transferring him. However, his care was triaged and prioritised appropriately based on the information available to the team at the time, Caldwell said. An initial referral was made at 6pm and triaged by the flight coordinator with input from a senior medical consultant. Because he was considered neurologically stable and the air retrieval team was scheduled to return from another job, a collective decision was made to depart the next morning, with an expected arrival back by early afternoon. The air retrieval team stated that this was the nature of prioritisation under a resource-constrained environment, Caldwell said. On the morning of the scheduled transfer, a further delay occurred because a flight nurse had to stand down for rest after attending an overnight retrieval. Efforts were made to contact other flight nurses and intensive care nurses who were not on the roster, but none were available. At the time, the air retrieval team had been experiencing increased demands but nurse staffing levels had not increased, Caldwell said. She said between March 2015 and March 2016, there were 60 occasions when a second retrieval had been requested but could not respond. An expert's advice was that road transfer could have been considered as an alternative option but the surgeon disagreed. He said that in his experience, moving patients by road had led to a negative outcome, because of the lack of ambulance staff and inability of the ambulances to cross boundaries between healthcare districts at the time. List of changes made since The air retrieval team had since made a comprehensive list of changes, including additional nursing staff, and has introduced improved communication and operational guidelines. Caldwell said a 'significant number of changes' to the health sector had since been made. She said the amalgamation of the 20 district health boards into Health NZ had created better service integration, sharing of resources, and communication between treating teams. Health NZ Southern and Health NZ Waitaha Canterbury districts were asked to provide a formal written apology for the breaches identified in the report. Tracy Neal, Open Justice reporter
NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
Teen's death exposes gaps in South Island healthcare, significant changes have since been made
A teenager's death from complications after surgery revealed troubling gaps in complex care across the South Island at the time, the Health and Disability Commissioner says. The 19-year-old died in 2015 in circumstances where his family never had the chance to say goodbye. In addition, within minutes of them
NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
Health commissioner finds pattern of demeaning care at Whakatāne rest home
The woman's daughter complained to the commissioner following several complaints to Golden Pond. Her complaints included that Golden Pond staff would speak to her mother disrespectfully and delay or refuse to take her to the toilet. Her complaint included that staff didn't accommodate her mother's hearing and speech problems, ignored her requests for help, failed to recognise she had a urinary tract infection and were slow to react when she had a fall. Aged Care Commissioner Carolyn Cooper said in the report she found Golden Pond failed to provide services in a manner that treated the woman with respect, a breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. Cooper, however, acknowledged the home and hospital had changed many of its practices since the investigation. The report detailed Golden Pond's apology letter, which said it was sorry for the way the woman was treated and the lack of communication and accountability. The woman was in her 70s and received hospital-level care since her admission in May 2019. She had a history of depression and limited vision and had been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a complex, chronic neurological condition that affects speech, swallowing, eye movements and mobility. Cameras were installed for security purposes and for the woman's daughter to check if her mother had any falls. The woman's daughter became concerned about the care her mother was receiving based on events captured in 23 videos that were supplied to the commission as evidence. She was frequently asking to use the toilet and staff became frustrated. They failed to recognise she had a urinary tract infection. On the morning of her fall, she was left on the ground for 40 minutes before being found. Golden Pond acknowledged there needed to be accountability for the failings in its care, but emphasised in its response to the commission that five years had passed and none of the staff members involved worked at Golden Pond anymore. Cooper's report said three of the videos were particularly concerning, including one where a carer was arguing with the woman while she was on the toilet. 'In my view, this incident demonstrates an appalling disregard for [the woman's] dignity.' In another video, the woman pleaded with staff to use the toilet but was told she should have gone earlier and that her incontinence pad would be sufficient. 'In my opinion, these repeated instances of demeaning conduct by several staff members, particularly in circumstances involving [the woman's] toileting when she was entirely reliant on staff for her cares, amount to a failure to provide services in a manner that respected [her] dignity.' Cooper's report concluded there was evidence of a 'concerning pattern of demeaning and disrespectful treatment' involving six staff members, including two nurses. 'While there is individual accountability for these actions, in my view, the continued widespread and repeated actions by staff at Golden Pond reflect a culture of disrespect and disregard for the dignity of those under Golden Pond's care, for which, ultimately, I hold Golden Pond responsible.' Cooper said Golden Pond had been aware of the woman's daughter's concerns since at least January 2020, and some action was taken. 'However, I consider that the continued inappropriate conduct of staff, over a period of months, indicates a failure by Golden Pond to manage, improve and monitor the situation adequately.' She noted Golden Pond acknowledged in its response that it was too slow to pick up on the stress staff were under and put in strategies to deal with the woman's behaviour. A 2025 Golden Pond audit was complimentary of the service, and Cooper said in the report she commended Golden Pond on the 'significant improvements' it had made since the complaint. However, she still made the recommendation that Golden Pond provide evidence of its most recent staff training and education on elder abuse, respectful communication and conduct, and managing stress and challenging resident behaviours. It had to provide evidence of that training to the commissioner within six months. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
