New Zealand Listener Issue 29 2018

Health Minister David Clark is rightly concerned with “perverse outcomes” from the way we collect data on surgical procedures. But he has bizarrely trumped that perversity by halting publication of any further figures at all until a better system is devised. Clark’s strategy, which reportedly did not go before the coalition Cabinet as it arguably should have done, appears to be to portray the system as having become debased under the previous Government, with quick, minor procedures and major surgery, such as heart operations and hip replacements, sometimes given equal weight. If this is true – and Clark has yet to produce evidence that it is – he could fix it now by cracking down on misclassification. By suppressing all data indefinitely, he scores an own goal. He allows the…

I’m appalled at the changes taking place within Plunket and upset for the nurses and volunteers (“Mind that child”, July 7). The vast salaries paid to six managers, irrespective of some of them “taking pay cuts to take their jobs”, and the huge sums of money paid for consultancy fees and marketing are, unbelievable. The people most affected could have been consulted for nothing, and the marketing could have been, and always has been, done by volunteers. I was a Plunket nurse in Māngere and Meadowbank, and the work we did with families in both areas was the fence at the top of the cliff, not the ambulance at the bottom. We received unstinting support from all our volunteers and the East Auckland branches supported those in South Auckland. As…

Health Minister David Clark is rightly concerned with “perverse outcomes” from the way we collect data on surgical procedures. But he has bizarrely trumped that perversity by halting publication of any further figures at all until a better system is devised. Clark’s strategy, which reportedly did not go before the coalition Cabinet as it arguably should have done, appears to be to portray the system as having become debased under the previous Government, with quick, minor procedures and major surgery, such as heart operations and hip replacements, sometimes given equal weight. If this is true – and Clark has yet to produce evidence that it is – he could fix it now by cracking down on misclassification. By suppressing all data indefinitely, he scores an own goal. He allows the appearance…

I’m appalled at the changes taking place within Plunket and upset for the nurses and volunteers (“Mind that child”, July 7). The vast salaries paid to six managers, irrespective of some of them “taking pay cuts to take their jobs”, and the huge sums of money paid for consultancy fees and marketing are, unbelievable. The people most affected could have been consulted for nothing, and the marketing could have been, and always has been, done by volunteers. I was a Plunket nurse in Māngere and Meadowbank, and the work we did with families in both areas was the fence at the top of the cliff, not the ambulance at the bottom. We received unstinting support from all our volunteers and the East Auckland branches supported those in South Auckland. As Plunket nurse…

WINNING CAPTION Bill Grant, Napier FINALISTS Ivanka: “I seem to have static between my ears.”– Sorrel Bovett, Kerikeri Ivanka: “So, that new order from North Korea was for only two dresses, not two container loads?”– Janey Grant, Napier Ivanka: “Hold on. I think I’m getting only half the story.”– Christina Mander In one ear and out the same one.– Marg Dunmore, Dunedin Ivanka: “Really, Vladimir? You want advice on my undercover gear?”– Kath Jones, Waikanae Ivanka: “If I listen to him upside down, maybe he’ll sound better!”– Kevin Baylis, Wellington Caption Competition {caption@listener.co.nz} TO ENTER Send your captions for the photo above to caption@listener.co.nz, with “Caption Competition No 289” in the subject line. Alternatively, entries can be posted to “Caption Competition No 289”, NZ Listener, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley St,…

“But if Harley Davidson goes away, how will retired dentists in my neighbourhood wake me up on Saturdays?”– The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert “If Russia wins the World Cup it’s fake news.”–comedian Jim Jefferies “Trump is scheduled to visit the UK in two weeks – which means he’s got 14 days to learn how to speak English.”– comedian Jimmy Fallon “Scientists say drinking beer after a workout can make your next workout more difficult. So do the smart thing, and don’t work out.”– Fallon again “If it’s raining, look for rainbows; if it’s dark, look for stars.”– Taihape cafe blackboard “The Supreme Court retirement could have huge repercussions. Think about it: the court that just this week crippled unions, and upheld Trump’s Muslim ban and race-based gerrymandering, might turn conservative.”–…