Health bd still reviewing rights

Press, 18 March 1989, Page 4

Health bd still reviewing rights

PA Auckland The Auckland Area Health Board is still reviewing the rights and privileges of honorary consultants. Four months ago, the Health Department expressed concern about Associate Professor Herbert Green’s continued access to patients’ files at National Women’s Hospital. The department’s chief health officer, Dr Karen Poutasi, told the board Dr Green’s honorary status and rights and privileges had to be reassessed after the cervical cancer inquiry.

The board’s general manager, Mr Winston McKean, announced last November it was reviewing honorary medical staff, but “at the moment Dr Green still has the same rights and privileges.” Dr Green’s privileges include: Access to patients’ records with the medical superintendent’s permission; the right to act as a consultant for colleagues; and to attend hospital education sessions. As far as board staff were aware, Dr Green had not sought files or acted as a consultant for 22 months.