Veterans wait for surgery

Press, 22 July 1988, Page 2

Veterans wait for surgery

The Christchurch Returned Services Association and the War Pensions Department are locked in battle over medical treatment for two Canterbury war veterans.

At the centre of the dispute are Mr Bob Towart, aged 81, of Burwood, and a former serviceman, aged 74, who declined to be identified.

Mr Towart was wounded in the knee at the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. The wound healed and caused no problem until 1986 when he suffered acute pain. A specialist detected shrapnel fragments still lodged in the knee and advised that these be removed surgically.

“The alternatives were a wait of two or more years for a hospital bed or immediate surgery at a private hospital. The private hospital treatment would cost about $2500. As Mr Towart did not have the money for private treatment, he had no option but to wait for a public hospital bed,” said the chairman of the Christchurch R.S.A.’s welfare committee, Mr Charlie Waters, yesterday. “He is still waiting.”

Twelve months ago, the R.S.A. appealed to the War Pensions Department to pay for Mr Towart’s private hospital treatment. The department agreed to pay for the hospital bed but indicated that Mr Towart would have to pay the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees. The offer was declined after Mr Towart indi-

cated he could not afford the money. The former serviceman, aged 74, suffered severe war wounds to a thigh. In January, 1987, he was told by surgeons that osteoarthritis had become “well estab-, lished” in the left hip. He now uses crutches, is significantly disabled, and requires a total hip replacement. Such surgery would cost $4381. The War Pensions Department told the R.S.A. it would pay $1541 towards treatment. The remaining $2840 the man would have to find himself “to get relief from a wound incurred serving his country,” Mr Waters said. The R.S.A.’s welfare committee wrote to the Minister of War Pensions and Social Welfare, Dr Cullen, asking for Ministerial assistance in providing treatment for the two men.

Under War Pension Regulations, medical treatment had to be done through the public hospital system. Dr Cullen’s written reply said that “Where a pensioner elects to receive treatment in a private hospital, only a portion of the total costs are paid,” he wrote. “While I appreciate this policy requires a substantial contribution from the pensioner, I regret that in the present economic climate I cannot recommend using further Government funds for a group who already enjoy substantial financial advantages when compared with a civilian patient”