Hospital nay end surgery

Press, 11 October 1988, Page 8

Hospital nay end surgery

J A Auckland The Auckland Hospital 3oard last evening seemed poised to recommend the transfer of all Green Lane surgical services to North Shore Hospital.

A casting vote by the board’s chairman, Sir Frank Rutter, prevented an instant decision. The matter will now go before the board on Monday, but members have been told no further discussion will be held, only an immediate vote.

The proposal has been soundly and unanimously rejected by senior medical staff at Green Lane. The acting medical superintendent, Dr Toby Whitlock, said the move was ’’fraught with difficulties and real dangers to patients.” "It is an untried experiment that would downgrade the hospital.”

Dr Whitlock said hospital medical and nursing staff felt strongly that Green Lane’s future as a hospital would be jeopardised with the closing of general surgical services. Board members, however, indicated yesterday that they were in favour of the move. The board’s medical advisory commitee has recommended the transfer of services, saying it would be more efficient and cost-effec-tive.

General surgical admissions at Green Lane increased 30 per cent between 1984 and 1986. The hospital admits an average of more than 2200 patients a year.