Major Operations Not Possible At Opotiki Hospital

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 95, 13 September 1950, Page 3

Major Operations Not Possible At Opotiki Hospital

No major operations can be performed at the present time at the Opotiki Public Hospital, the Hospital Board was informed at Wednesday’s meeting.

Following the reading of the medical superintendent’s report and attached reports of visiting doctors, Dr C. S. James attended the meeting and enlarged on his report concerning staff shortages. He stated that the number of sisters had dropped from three to one and not only was it dangerous to peform a major operation with such a depleted staff but that it was impossible to give the necessary after attention without serious risk to life. Dr James said the hospital was anxious that such operations should be performed at Opotiki and he wanted to undertake such operations but in fairness to the hospital board, himself and the patients he considered the risk too great at present. He felt the position very keenly especially in view of some outside talk. He had considered the position from all angles and he regretted having to tell the board that until adequate staff was available he would be able to only undertake minor operations and major operations would have to be undertaken at Gisborne, Whakatane or elsewhere.

Dr James then produced a letter which he had received but which he was not sure was meant for himself or the board, in which a local resident claimed that the medical superintendent would not or could not undertake an operation on his wife and asked for an explanation. Dr James said the position was as he had previously explained. He considered the risk too great and had refused to operate and the patient had been taken to Whakatane. The superintendent said there had been a difference of opinion between himself and Dr Meredith about the case in question but he was convinced the responsibility was too great.