Patients’ group backed

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 6

Patients’ group backed

I'Christchurch Women's Hospital was the subject of more complaints from former patients than any otjier medical institution in the city, Mrs J. M. Waters told the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday. “I would like to dissociate myself from comments made by board members recently

about the Patients: Rights group,” Mrs Waters said, A meeting, of the board’s health services committee earlier this month was told that Patients' Rights had mounted “a malicious smear campaign" against Christchurch Women’s Hospital.’ Dr W. J. Pryor, chairman of the board's medical services, said the group had, over several years, made a

series of malicious complaints and unsubstantiated allegations against the hospital, while ignoring other hospitals. He also complained that the group had cancelled an arranged meeting with board members, inconveniencing some members. Mrs Waters said Patients’ Rights had not had much notice of the meeting and had cancelled it because one

of its members was indisposed. Speaking about the allegations of a campaign against Christchurch Women's Hospital. Mrs Waters said that the group would not have brought the complaints about the hospital to the board’s attention if they were unsubstantiated or unnecessary. “There are more complaints from the community about Christchurch Women’s Hospital than about other institutions or doctors in private practice,” she said. The group would not make allegations if it thought they were not true.