Claims a new computer system has left patients heading to
theatre for the wrong surgery have prompted an independent
investigation into Greymouth Hospital's surgical unit.
The safety concerns have been raised by the West Coast District
Health Board's top anaesthetist, who has now quit along with
another colleague.
For years Greymouth Hospital has struggled to employ enough anaesthetists to keep its theatres running. Now the joint head of the anaesthetic department has blown a whistle on patient safety.
In a leaked letter to the health board, Dr Judy Forbes claims patient safety cannot be guaranteed, general surgery is in freefall and that she is working with an endless stream of locums with unknown skill and experience.
That has locals concerned.
One woman says she is just hoping they can get it sorted out in a hurry.
Forbes is also critical the new surgical booking system has been moved from the theatre suite close to surgeons to a room near reception, manned by IT staff.
She claims patients are now being prepped for the wrong procedures. One was allegedly told by IT staff without a doctor's say so to stop taking medication. Another needing a knee operation was given a letter for a dental procedure.
"How can that be safe care for the patients of the West Coast? asks Tony Ryall, National health spokesman.
Health Minister David Cunliffe says the fact that a clinician has laid a complaint in a hospital does not amount to any sort of system failure.
Forbes says she has been given legal advice not to talk about her letter. But she told ONE News she can no longer work at a place where patients are being mistreated and so she's quitting. So too is the other joint head of anaesthesia at the hospital, Susie Newton, who resigned on Tuesday.
The DHB has launched its own investigation and called the Ministry of Health in to review the claims as well.
"West Coast people will need some reassurance that the investigation process that we've used ourselves has been sound and we intend to give them that," says Kevin Hague, West Coast DHB chief executive.
As for the new computer booking system, Hague says all that has changed is its location.
"The nature of the people who are doing the work has not changed," he says.
The hospital says the new system will improve safety, not risk it.
