HEADLINES & NEWS
Midwives in the Far North are warning that the region may soon be without a maternity service after Northland Health ruled that no caesarians should be performed at Kaitaia Hospital. Northland Health, which axed after-hours surgery at Kaitaia last month, has now told the hospital's three surgeons they are no longer credentialled to perform caesarians. Kaitaia Maternity Services, which is contracted to run the hospital's birthing unit and post-natal ward, says that decision is costing it money because more women are being sent to Whangarei to deliver. And the service's spokeswoman Steph Getty says Northland Health hasn't indicated how women in labour can be safely shifted from Kaitaia to Whangerei. IV
We [illegible] joined now by Dr Ian Page who's the Clinical Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Northland Hospital. LIVE IV
An Auckland City Council committee has approved giving 650 thousand dollars to help pay for America's Cup events, only weeks after council budget cutting saw it axe pensioner housing and its airport shareholding. The Council's Finance and Corporate Committee approved a request from Team New Zealand for a one off grant - our reporter Sally Wenley was at the Committee hearing. PKGE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH TODD NIALL
Christchurch is to get a new women's hospital after the government announced it's allocating 50-million dollars for the new building's construction. It will be built adjacent to the city's main public hospital and replace the existing Christchurch Womens Hospital. The facility won't open until 2005 but, as Katy Gosset reports, staff are already looking foward to greater efficiency in the delivery of care. PKGE
In Papua New Guinea, the make-up of a new Government is still not clear [illegible] elections marred by violence and vote rigging. The Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has retained his seat in parliament, but his Government hangs in the balance with final election results not expected until at least mid-July. Meanwhile, the death toll from election violence has risen to nine - the latest victim is a ten year old girl, shot dead during an election riot in the highlands. I asked the AAP's Port Moresby correspondent Jim Baynes what Sir Mekere is promising if he continues as Prime Minister. IV
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
Returning now to our lead story - and the warning from Far North Midwives that the region may soon be without a maternity service after Northland Health ruled that no caesarians should be performed at Kaitaia Hospital. Northland Health, which axed after-hours surgery at Kaitaia last month, has now told the hospital's three surgeons they are no longer credentialled to perform caesarians. The Kaitaia Hospital Action Group's chairman Millie Srhoj (Serhoy) says it's continuing to fight to retain surgical services at Kaitaia Hospital and he's just met with Northland Health's chief executive officer Ken Whelan to put the group's case. IV
Scientists are expressing concern at the plummeting numbers of university graduates interested in science as a career. Many of the country's top scientists and government officials have been at a Primary Resources Forum in Palmerston North, discussing problems facing science. Our reporter Jill Galloway found they are worried science is becoming a turn-off for young people PKGE
Security imposed at New Zealand domestic airports in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks on Washington and New York is being relaxed. The security measures to prevent terrorists hijacking domestic flights saw thousands of passengers have their nail scissors, knitting needles and pocket knives confiscated. But Anna Louise Taylor reports that a review has resulted in domestic passengers being allowed to take some previously banned items on board in hand lugagge, from next Monday. PKGE
A survey of Dunedin 15 year olds has found big increases in drug use and binge [illegible] - but debunks the myth that teenagers are becoming more sexually active. In the University of Otago study of more than six hundred fifth formers a third reveal they have had sexual intercourse - about the same number as fifteen years ago. But the survey's author, research student Melissa Carter, told me other behaviours have changed considerably. IV
The AA and local bodies want a law change to encourage councils to put red light cameras at intersections to stop motorists crashing traffic lights. Crashes at intersections killed 95 people and injured another three thousand in the year 2000.
But while some councils want to install red light cameras, they say they are being discouraged by the high cost and the fact that any fines they collect go straight to the government. Antony Byers reports. PKGE
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