Latest Media Releases
Introducing This Page
This page introduces you to Media Releases publicised by the West Coast DHB. If there are any news you expected to find and they aren't shown here try our Media Releases Archive, or contact the West Coast DHB Communications Officer.
Latest Media Releases
This section contains links to recent West Coast District Health Boards media releases.
Ward Merger
11 / 08 / 2008 The West Coast DHB at Grey Base Hospital will, from today, be merging the medical and surgical wards, as well as relocating the paediatrics unit for a period of up to two months. Details...
Greymouth Surgeon Saves Young Passenger
08 / 08 / 2008 West Coast DHB general surgeon Terry Mixter, had an eventful flight to the USA recently. During the flight a young girl became quite ill and began to have difficulty breathing. With the assistance of an A&E nurse from Dunedin, who was also on the flight, they managed to administer some drugs which temporarily allowed the young girl to breathe. Details...
New Franz Josef Facility
07 / 08 / 2008 The West Coast DHB and St John are pleased to announce that both organisations have now approved the construction of a new joint facility for Franz Josef. Details...
Change in Food, Cleaning, Orderlies and Grounds contract
31 / 07 / 2008 The West Coast DHB wish to announce that they have selected new providers of Food, Cleaning, Orderlies and Grounds services from 1st October 2008. Details...
Fresh Future Appeal
30 / 07 / 2008 In 2008 the West Coast DHB is fortunate in being invited to become one of the recipients of the 2008 Fresh Futures Appeal. The appeal is run by the Progressive Enterprises family of supermarkets in August and September for paediatric care in various NZ hospitals. Details...
Clarification as to why the WCDHB is seeking to upgrade or replace Grey Base Hospital
28 / 07 / 2008 “People focussing exclusively on the seismic safety of Grey Base Hospital seem to have missed the point as to why the DHB is seeking to upgrade or replace the facility”, said Wayne Champion, General Manager of Corporate Services at the West Coast DHB. Details...
Interim financial result
25 / 07 / 2008 The West Coast District Health Board has recorded an interim full year deficit (subject to Audit) of $6.7 million for the 2007-08 financial year. Details...
Cisco, West Coast DHB and Gen-I Announce First Cisco HealthPresence Trial in New Zealand.
14 / 07 / 2008 Grey Base Hospital in Greymouth to Support Buller Health in Westport in First Patient-Care Delivery Solution of Its Kind Details...
New Standby Generator Commissioned
09 / 07 / 2008 Patients and visitors to Grey Base Hospital will notice some changes over this weekend 12 and 13 July as a new standby generator for the hospital is commissioned. Details...
West Coast DHB Announces New Acting CEO
08 / 07 / 2008 The West Coast DHB is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Joel George as Acting CEO of the DHB. Mr George will take up the position on 4 August 2008. Details...
Grey Base Hospital receives new OPG X-Ray machine
01 / 07 / 2008 The West Coast DHB Radiology Dept at Grey Base Hospital has been very fortunate to recently receive a new piece of equipment courtesy of the Christchurch Radiology Group. Details...
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...
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...
West Coast Diabetes
27 / 05 / 2008 Results achieved for the last year in responsiveness to diabetes on the West Coast are very encouraging. 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...