Media Releases Archive
Introducing This Page
This section contains media releases released a little while ago. Please note that due to the long time when some of these were released images have been removed and some links might no longer work.
Archived Media Releases
This section contains links to archived West Coast District Health Boards media releases.
Investigation into Patient Safety Concerns
27 / 06 / 2008 A thorough investigation into patient safety concerns carried out by the West Coast DHB determined that none of the matters that Dr. Forbes raised create risks to patient safety. Details...
Obstetric and Gynaecology Services at the WCDHB
17 / 06 / 2008 From 1 July until 4 August 2008, the WCDHB will not have O&G specialists on site. This situation is caused by a combination of existing commitments, illness and no locum cover being available. Details...
West Coast DHB Welcomes Patient Safety Reassurance
16 / 06 / 2008 West Coast District Health Board today welcomed a report from Dr. David Galler, Principal Medical Adviser to the Minister of Health, on the DHB’s investigation of claims made by a former employee of the DHB that patient safety was being compromised in a number of ways at Greymouth Base Hospital. Details...
Teenager With CMT Disease
09 / 06 / 2008 Greymouth teenager, Sidney Wanhalla-Smith has been undergoing treatment for a rare genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease at the West Coast DHB’s Grey Base Hospital. Details...
Immunisation rates Improve in Buller
29 / 05 / 2008 Buller Health is being praised for the efforts they have made in conjunction with the Outreach Immunisation Service in increasing the immunisation coverage for the children of the Buller area. Details...
Vegetables on a budget
28 / 05 / 2008 Providing healthy food for your family can be a struggle with rising food prices. Keeping the family healthy on a tight budget may be easier if you make some changes to the shopping list, according to the Healthy Eating – Healthy Action (HEHA) Team at the West Coast DHB. Details...
West Coast Diabetes
27 / 05 / 2008 Results achieved for the last year in responsiveness to diabetes on the West Coast are very encouraging. Details...
Grey Hospital rises to the challenge of a multi casualty accident
27 / 05 / 2008 The recent motor vehicle crash at Kumara posed a number of challenges for the staff of Grey Base Hospital. Details...
Regarding concerns of Dr Judy Forbes
13 / 05 / 2008 The West Coast DHB has received a letter detailing some concerns by Dr Judy Forbes. The issues raised by Dr Forbes have been taken very seriously and a clinical investigation has been undertaken by the Acting Medical Director. The investigation has been thorough, though has yet to be finalised. The Medical Director's report concludes that her claims do not give rise to risks to public safety. Details...
Update on Obstetric and Gynaecology Services at the WCDHB
02 / 05 / 2008 The West Coast DHB wishes to advise that their Obstetric & Gynaecology cover issue has not yet been fully resolved. At this stage, cover for the period 5pm Wednesday 7 May until 10am Friday 9 May has not been confirmed. Details...
Obstetric and Gynaecology Services at the WCDHB
18 / 04 / 2008 The West Coast DHB wishes to advise that for the next two weeks they will have only limited or no Obstetric & Gynaecology cover available. This situation is caused by a combination of existing commitments, illness and no locum cover being available. Details...
New West Coast DHB Website Launched
11 / 04 / 2008 The WCDHB has launched a new internet website to help members of the public get information on the many activities and services of the board. Details...
New Ngakawau Health Clinic
09 / 04 / 2008 Acting CEO of the West Coast DHB, Hecta Williams is pleased to announce that site preparation has commenced prior to the construction of a new health clinic at Ngakawau. Details...
Tobacco Display Ban
29 / 02 / 2008 The West Coast DHB applauds and supports the Waikato DHB in calling for a total ban on retail tobacco displays in its submission on the Public Health Bill. Details...
West Coast Parents told the Truth about Snacks
05 / 02 / 2008 When it comes to snacks, knowing what's best for kids and what's not is no easy matter, says Kim Sinclair, Healthy Eating - Healthy Action (HEHA) Programme Manager at the West Coast DHB. Details...
Māori Health Plan in effect
21 / 01 / 2008 The West Coast DHB is pleased to announce that their second Māori Health Plan Te Kaupapa Hauora Māori 2007 - 2011, previously adopted by the board, has now been approved by the Ministry of Health. Details...
Wider access to subsidised Nicotine Replacement Therapy
15 / 01 / 2008 The Ministry of Health announcement that from February 2008 there will be wider access to subsidised Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is great news for West Coast smokers and their families. Details...
New Funding Supports Healthy Eating Initiatives In Communities
17 / 12 / 2007 Community groups planning efforts to get their local families to eat more healthily will be pleased to hear that they may be able to receive support from a new funding stream launched by the Feeding our Futures programme. Details...
West Coast Parents Urged To Make Family Time Healthy This Holiday
13 / 12 / 2007 With the Christmas holidays almost upon us, it's time to use the kitchen or dining room table for more than just wrapping up presents. Details...
2007 WCDHB Community Health Awards
12 / 12 / 2007 West Coast DHB CEO, Kevin Hague praised the high standard of the entries received for the inaugural Community Health Awards at a ceremony held in Greymouth on Monday 10 December. Details...
Increase in Gonorrhoea on West Coast
11 / 12 / 2007 In the last six months there has been a sharp increase in cases of gonorrhoea on the West Coast. Details...
Former Special Medical Areas decision
03 / 09 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board supports the decision by Minister of Health Pete Hodgson that will allow it to introduce a policy of fairness and consistency across all of its primary care practices. Details...
Inpatient Elective Services
06 / 07 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board today announced that from August 13 it would be reducing inpatient elective surgery procedures at Grey Base Hospital Details...
First Nurse Practitioner on the West Coast
29 / 06 / 2007 After six years of hard work Anne Fitzwater of Fox Glacier was yesterday awarded Nurse Practitioner status by the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Details...
West Coast children encouraged to opt for water and milk
29 / 06 / 2007 It's natural, it's free, the West Coast has plenty of it and best of all it can help keen children healthy – water the best option for West Coast children. Details...
Joint press release West Coast DHB - West Coast PHO
29 / 06 / 2007 Thousands of West Coasters aged 25 to 44 will from next week experience cheaper GP visits and prescription fees. Details...
DHB invests in new CT-Scanner
21 / 06 / 2007 Clinicians at Grey Base Hospital will soon have new diagnostic tool at their disposal, which will provide significant benefits for patients. Details...
Kawatiri
20 / 06 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board is pleased to announce it has secured the services of two midwives for the Kawatiri Midwifery Unit. Details...
Nursing vacancies
19 / 06 / 2007 Over the past week the West Coast District Health Board has been working on a plan to cover a number of nursing vacancies at Grey Base Hospital. Details...
Nursing
11 / 06 / 2007 The public may notice some subtle changes at Grey Base Hospital over the next few weeks. Details...
Valuing the contribution of overseas trained doctors
06 / 06 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board is praising Government funding to support overseas trained doctors to complete their medical registration in New Zealand. Details...
Suspension of Laboratory Workers (2)
21 / 05 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board today took the step of suspending laboratory workers who had withdrawn their services from key diagnostic areas. Details...
Suspension of Laboratory Workers (1)
21 / 05 / 2007 The New Zealand Medical Laboratory Workers Union notified the West Coast DHB that from May 21 its members working in Greymouth will not provide patients services such as collecting specimens or taking bloods, they would also not issue blood or blood products or answer telephones. Details...
New Zealand College of Midwives report and Midwifery Review Comments document
02 / 05 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board has begun the process of implementing recommendations from a review of maternity services conducted by the New Zealand College of Midwives. Details...
Buller Health Trust and West Coast District Health Board work together
08 / 03 / 2007 A new oral health contact is bringing smiles to the faces of the Buller Health Trust and the West Coast District Health Board. Details...
Ask a professional
08 / 03 / 2007 I am really confused by all this talk about changes at the West Coast DHB Details...
Comment from Gregor Coster - Re: Secondary Care Plan.
26 / 02 / 2007 West Coast District Health Board Chairman Gregor Coster confirmed it was the Board’s decision 12 months ago to refer the Grey Base 2020 plan and the proposed draft Secondary Care Plan to the Hospital Advisory Committee for its advice. Details...
Statement on behalf of Gregoire Body, 34, of New Caledonia.
17 / 02 / 2007 Speaking from Grey Base Hospital Mr Body today wanted to thank the two guides in Franz Josef Glacier who helped him immediately after he was caught in an ice cave collapse. Details...
Review of Maternity Services
16 / 02 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board has asked the New Zealand College of Midwives to conduct a review of maternity services in the region. Details...
Mending broken hearts
14 / 02 / 2007 Valentines - a day symbolised by hearts is the perfect day for the West Coast DHB to announce its new cardiac rehabilitation programme, which aims to mend broken hearts in this region. Details...
Scholarships
01 / 02 / 2007 The first recipients of West Coast District Health Board Scholarships were last night given the opportunity to meet their future mentors. Details...
Comment from Chairman Gregor Coster re: Secondary Care Plan
30 / 01 / 2007 The West Coast District Health Board made the decision several months ago to refer the Grey Base 2020 project (which includes the draft Secondary Care Plan) to the Hospital Advisory Committee. Details...
Change can be good
24 / 01 / 2007 Change can be good - don't be scared by change. That's the message from the West Coast District Health Board regarding its draft Secondary Care Plan. Details...
Reefton x-ray services announcement
11 / 01 / 2007 Since the cessation of x-rays services in Reefton during 2006 the West Coast DHB has considered whether another health professional such as a doctor or nurse could provide this service in a limited capacity. Details...
18 / 12 / 2006 Details...
West Coast District Health Board Scholarships.
11 / 10 / 2006 West Coasters excited by a career in health are being encouraged to apply for seven West Coast DHB scholarships to aid them on their path to success. Details...
Cancer Hui
21 / 09 / 2006 Help us make a difference by attending a Cancer Hui at the Maori Women's Welfare League rooms on 22nd August; 1-3.30pm Details...
Fruits in School Finals
20 / 09 / 2006 Later this year at least five West Coast schools will get to find out whether an apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Details...
Reefton Medical Centre Update
19 / 09 / 2006 Short, medium and long term overview of access to medical resources in Reefton. Details...
X-Ray Films Become a Part of History
06 / 09 / 2006 Traditional x-rays have been relegated to the annals of history at Grey Base Hospital. The hospital radiology service has now gone film-less, making it one of the most up to date in the country. Details...
Great little Cookbook launched today
17 / 08 / 2006 The Minister of Social Development and Employment, the Hon. David Benson-Pope today launched 'The Great little Cookbook - hints and healthy eating on a tight budget.' Details...
Buller Health Manager Announced
15 / 08 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board was today delighted to announce Jenny Robertson as the new manager of Buller Health Services. Details...
Careers at WCDHB
02 / 08 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board is this week taking part in the Careers Roadshow, which have been taking place in Hokitika and Greymouth, as part of its drive to attract young people to careers in the health sector. Details...
Strike Action
02 / 06 / 2006 The West Coast District Board today began notifying some elective surgery patients that their procedures have been rescheduled or postponed due to the planned industrial action by Resident Medical Officers. Details...
Dementia Care Unit Gets Green Light
02 / 06 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board is excited that Minister of Health Pete Hodgson and Finance Minister Michael Cullen have signed off on capital funding for a purpose built multi-million dollar Dementia Care Unit. The new building will be located near the mental health unit at Grey Base Hospital. Details...
Grey Base 2020
08 / 05 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board has begun a process designed to ensure health services can continue to meet the needs of West Coasters for years to come. Details...
Ask a Professional
03 / 05 / 2006 My child hasn't finished their third Meningococcal B vaccination within the recommended time frame, do they have to start again? Details...
PACS Goes Live
03 / 05 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board is now at the forefront of radiology technology after its PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) went live yesterday. Details...
Dental Decay on the West Coast
03 / 05 / 2006 A lot has been said about the West Coast District Health Board's decision to decline an offer from Ronald McDonald House Charities and here the DHB explains the reasons behind that decision. Details...
General Manager Secondary Services Appointed
24 / 03 / 2006 After an extensive selection process the West Coast District Health Board has appointed Chris Le Prou as General Manager of Secondary Care. Details...
Bruce Bay Board meeting
24 / 03 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board is looking forward to holding its April meeting at the Te Tauraka Waka a Maui Marae in Bruce Bay, South Westland. Details...
Response to Luke O'Donell
24 / 03 / 2006 The West Coast DHB has welcomed the Government's confirmation of a national funding package for the upgrade of school dental facilities, including the provision of mobile dental services for remote areas such as those on the West Coast. Details...
Norovirus
24 / 03 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board and Community and Public Health today urged those who have or who are recovering from a gastrointestinal illness currently going around the region to take simple precautions to stop the spread of infection. Details...
The Buller Health Report Letter
25 / 01 / 2006 Buller Health is an exciting development in health services in the Westport region. Details...
The Buller Health Report
20 / 01 / 2006 This report presents the recommendations of the Buller Health Steering Group regarding the proposed formation of “Buller Health” as a Business Unit within the WCDHB. Details...
New West Coast Cancer Initiative
06 / 01 / 2006 A research project into the care received by West Coast cancer patients could have significant long-term benefits for the people of this region. Details...
Bird Flu Messages
06 / 01 / 2006 The West Coast District Health Board is currently working on its plan including its communications plan regarding a possible bird-flu pandemic. Details...
Buller Health Services
06 / 01 / 2006 There has been a 180-degree turn around for health services in Buller this year. Details...