By MILNE, Amy THE Health Minister has knocked National's calls for an independent investigation into the norovirus outbreaks at Dunedin Hospital as premature.

New Zealand hospital lockdown goes on WELLINGTON, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A lockdown at New Zealand's Dunedin Hospital due to an outbreak of a norovirus has been extended, Radio New Zealand reported.

By Daniel Barbarisi Rhode Island Hospital currently has a helipad one block away in a parking lot.

A 16-year-old Otatara girl seriously injured in a horse riding accident near Riverton two weeks ago is out of intensive care. A Dunedin Hospital spokeswoman said yesterday Samantha Harvey "was a little better" and had been transferred to a general ward of the hospital. (c) 2007 Southland Times, The.

By POKONEY, Cassandra SOUTHLAND HOSPITAL'S children's ward has reopened following an outbreak of the antibiotic-resistant bug methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).