Rowan Quinn

New Zealand

Health Correspondent at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

Articles

Du Val owners ordered to meet receivers, answer questions under oath

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

The owners of the troubled Du Val property group have been ordered to meet with receivers and answer questions under oath about their personal assets and more. The High Court issued the ruling after Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke refused to meet with receivers PwC. Du Val's 70 entities are in statutory management, owing more than $300 million, and the Clarkes are in personal receivership, with their assets frozen.
Reaction to lip filler leaves patient with pus, bruising and swelling

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

A woman's lip cells were on the brink of dying off and she was given a smile she "hates" after a nightmare botox and lip filler appointment. The Deputy Heath and Disability Commissioner Dr Vanessa Caldwell ruled a nurse and a doctor at an unnamed North Island beauty clinic did not provide their client with an acceptable standard of care. They did not act fast enough when the injections - known as a lip flip - went terribly wrong.
Kaeo rest home gives woman suffering stroke anti-depressants

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

A 69-year-old woman was treated for depression at her rest home, when she actually had a stroke. Kauri Lodge in Kaeo has been criticised for their care of the woman by the Health and Disability Commission, being told it should have listened to her family more. In her report, Aged Care Commissioner Carolyn Cooper said the woman - known as Mrs A - had been happy, content and settled at the home.
Du Val Property Group debt rises to $306m, PwC report reveals

1 month ago | nzherald.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

Du Val Property Group’s debt has increased from $238 million to $306m, according to PwC. PwC’s investigation revealed incomplete records and unresolved asset ownership involving Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke. The Government advanced $1.04m for PwC’s management costs, with assets being sold to repay. By Rowan Quinn of RNZThe money owed by the controversial Du Val Property Group has grown from $238 million to $306m, a new report says.
Te Whatu Ora unable to confirm which hospital departments are safely staffed

Jul 22, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

Te Whatu Ora has been unable to say which parts of the hospital system are safely staffed, despite saying that was a critical factor in its decision to cut costs. The organisation issued cost-saving instructions in April, including an end to double shifts and back-filling sick leave, and an order for more staff to take annual leave.
Health NZ hiring freeze: Frontline hospital roles go unfilled

Jul 14, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Healthrnz.co.nzBy Rowan Quinn |Rowan Quinn

Medical jobs are going unfilled as part of a crackdown on hospital recruitment, despite Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ saying otherwise. RNZ has heard from multiple hospital workers around the country who say clinical jobs in their departments are being left vacant — and a senior hospital leader has written to staff about the "overly complex and bureaucratic" recruitment process.
Stuff

Jul 14, 2024 | stuff.co.nz | Rowan Quinn
Frontline hospital roles going unfilled amid hiring freeze, despite Health NZ saying otherwise

Jul 14, 2024 | nzherald.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

By Rowan Quinn of RNZMedical jobs are going unfilled as part of a crackdown on hospital recruitment, despite Te Whatu Ora Health NZ saying otherwise. RNZ has heard from multiple hospital workers throughout the country who say clinical jobs in their departments are being left vacant — and a senior hospital leader has written to staff about the “overly complex and bureaucratic” recruitment process.
Record number of patients at Middlemore Hospital ED as flu, winter illnesses hit hard

Jul 11, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Rowan Quinn

A record number of patients have turned up to Middlemore Hospital's emergency department, as flu and other winter illnesses hit hard. On 2 July, 448 people, including 135 children, were treated at the emergency department. Middlemore's director of operations, Vanessa Thornton, said that was the ED's busiest day ever - but many other days in the past few weeks had come close. "We've had higher presentations in children, as well as the adults, related to the respiratory type illnesses.
ED patients sent out of region due to specialist radiologist shortage

Jun 23, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Healthrnz.co.nzBy Rowan Quinn |Rowan Quinn

Some Waikato emergency patients are being sent to other hospitals because of a shortage of a specialist type of radiologist in the region. Interventional radiologists use images like CT scans and X-rays to diagnose or treat certain conditions - for example, guiding equipment internally to stop bleeding. However, they are so short-staffed at Waikato Hospital that none are able to be on-call on weeknights for emergencies or urgent cases.