Patient referral to be studied

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 6

Patient referral to be studied

PA Dunedin Referral of patients from one area to another in all medical specialities, .including cardiac surgery, will -be examined by ? the Hospitals Advisory Council, according to the Minister of Health (Mr Gair) yesterday. ■-?: The council will examine statistics on - the; movement of cardiac patients round the three: cardiac surgery units in

New Zealand and ways of reversing a steadily falling patients - workload at the Dunedin cardiac surgery unit, according to medical sources in Dunedin. There have been accusations that Christchurch specialists are deliberately referring patients to Wellington and Auckland to reduce the Dunedin workload' to' enhance the prospect of a car-

cardiac unit being established in Christchurch. Dr S. Woodhouse, a Dunedin cardiologist, said- on Monday that this move was "clearly political” and was being deliberately initiated by the’ North Canterbury Hospital Board.

However, sources; say the Health Department and the Minister believe that progress will be made if special-

ists from both areas discuss the problem. Mr Gair said yesterday, “I expect a proposal to come forward to me, but in the meantime I remind Otago that in the question of the Dunedin unit it is over to the Otago board to set the pace regarding the unit’s enhancements and I am anxious that it should make prompt progress?’