National Radio Midday Report

Health Complaints – Cervical Screening – Mistreated Assault Accused – Middle East Conflict – Kyoto Protocol – Woman Beaten – Union No-Show – Clean Slate Bill – Police Drink Drivers – Fire Service – Canterbury Winds

HEALTH COMPLAINTS: The Government is considering streamlining the way patients’ complaints are dealt with into a ‘one stop shop’ in the wake of a damning report of the current medical complaints system. The husband of Colleen Pautsma has welcomed the recommendations.

CERVICAL SCREENING: The report from the inquiry into cervical screening in Gisborne is to be released April 10.

MISTREATED ASSAULT ACCUSED: Mid Central Health says a mentally disabled woman charged with assault, who spent three nights in the Palmerston North police station and slept rough for one night, slipped through the cracks of the system. The judge apologised to the woman’s parents for her treatment.

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT: The United States says it understands the frustration with Palestinian terrorist violence that prompted the massive retaliation from Israel but has urged Israel to carefully consider the implications of its action.

KYOTO PROTOCOL: Environmental groups around the world have condemned the United States for wanting to abandon the Kyoto protocol on greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand Climate Change Minister Pete Hodgson says the US is only stepping back from the issue until it can re-evaluate its stance on the issue.

WOMAN BEATEN: A 59-year-old mentally disabled woman has been brutally beaten in her Auckland home for the second time in three months. A detective investigating said it was a particularly vicious attack.

UNION NO-SHOW: The union which yesterday threatened to take DB to the Employment Relations Authority over the job losses at the Greymouth Monteith’s brewery failed to attend a meeting with DB today.

CLEAN SLATE BLL: A bill to wipe minor convictions from people’s records after seven years if the person does not re-offend is under fire from an employers group.

POLICE DRINK DRIVERS: The Police Association says the Police Commissioner should have more flexible options to deal with staff convicted of drink driving. Police have had a blanket dismissal policy since 1993.

FIRE SERVICE: The Fire Service Commission says industrial relations by professional fire fighters is hampering training operations in the service.

CANTERBURY WINDS: Strong wind in Central Canterbury last night played havoc with power services as trees were blown into lines cutting off power.

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