The West Coast District Health Board has received notice from the Association of Professionals and Executive Employees (APEX) that radiographers are withdrawing their labour from 7.00am on Tuesday 7 September until 7.00am Wednesday 8 September.

Wellington, Sept 3 NZPA - Trans-Tasman grocers have called for calm on the issue of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging, stating it poses no "danger to humans" at the levels detected.

Auckland, Sept 2 NZPA - Eleventh hour talks aimed at averting a nationwide strike by radiographers next week appear to have failed.

Wellington, Sept 2 NZPA - The Government will continue to address concerns about rising costs and a diminishing level of care in the home support sector, says Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Auckland, Sept 2 NZPA - Visiting hours at Waikato Hospital are being reduced because patients say visitors are too noisy.

A six week trial beginning next week means visitors will only be allowed between 11am and 1.30pm and from 4pm to 8pm.

Over 55,000 four year olds have now received B4School health checks - 40,000 of them in the past 12 months.

By Matthew Backhouse of NZPA

The radiographers' union is hoping to reach an agreement with District Health Boards (DHBs) in Auckland today ahead of a three-day strike planned to begin tomorrow.

A six-week trial around visiting times and visitor numbers starts at Waikato Hospital next week.

Waikato DHB director of nursing and midwifery Sue Hayward said the new visiting times - 11am-1.30pm and 4pm-8pm - would apply from Monday (6 September) until mid October.

The challenge of providing care for the sick, elderly and disabled in a tight economy with rocketing health costs will occupy the minds of delegates attending a conference of home health providers in Auckland this week.

Wellington, Aug 31 NZPA - An Auckland nutritionist working to reduce New Zealanders' salt intake and prevent obesity has received a top industry award.