Susan Wood presents this current affairs programme.
“Specialist Crisis at Wanganui Hospital
Around the country there are literally hundreds of vacancies for junior doctors, senior doctors, and specialists. It is a problem felt most acutely in the provinces and in September we brought you an example of that - the crisis in Wanganui's paediatric services.That situation remains delicately balanced but now the lack of specialists has spread to obstetrics. Shortages there mean surgeons are being asked to perform procedures they don't feel comfortable with, and lives are being risked as complicated deliveries are transferred to hospitals in other regions. Then came the news that more than 600 patients have slipped through the gaps at Wanganui - these were specialist referrals that simply went missing. Now senior surgeon Clive Solomon has resigned, saying Wanganui Hospital is unsafe. Mark Sainsbury talks to Clive Solomon and Health Minister Pete Hodgson, but first an example of Wanganui's problems from Damian Christie.
Fiji Coup Update
One News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver reports outside the barracks where a news conference is being held by military commander Frank Bainimarama.
NZ Wine Industry Under Siege
Well there will be thousands out there tonight who will be sipping a glass of wine with their dinner - perhaps even a medal winner like Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc. But is the wine you are drinking really a medal winner or just indicative of the wine that received the accolade? The wine industry is under siege because Wither Hills lost its endorsement with Cuisine magazine for its 2006 sauvignon blanc after being disqualified by wine judges. The reason for that was that the wine being judged was not the same as the wine sold in the supermarket. Wither Hills, now owned by Lion Nathan, says it was a genuine mistake. But this issue raises questions about the integrity of wine awards and what we are actually drinking. Mark Sainsbury talks to two of the country's leading wine critics -Michael Cooper, who blew the whistle on Wither Hills, and Listener wine writer Keith Stewart who believes consumers have been taken for a ride with the awards system. And in Wellington is the man who speaks for our billion dollar wine industry - Philip Gregan from New Zealand Wine Growers.
Goodbye Susan Wood and Thanks
After 21 years at Television New Zealand, Susan Wood has resigned. For the past two years she has been with Close Up and kept the programme at the top of its game. In 2006 Close Up has consistently outrated its opposition, and much of that is down to Susan's dedication to her craft. Health issues caused her to make the decision to go. She says it's time for her to look after herself and be with her family. But the Close Up team is really going to miss her. Susan is a fearless interviewer who has followed the tradition her father - another legend in New Zealand journalism - set before her. And although she's not accustomed to teary farewells... we had an impromptu goodbye in the office today." TVNZ; tvnz.co.nz; 16/05/2007