Letter: No one should have to wait

How long is a reasonable time to wait before receiving healthcare? Photo / File

Another excellent editorial (DHB reality not so healthy, May 23), which has highlighted some worrying deficiencies in the health service.

No one, especially a child, should have to wait for days to have a broken limb treated, and saying sorry doesn't actually cut the mustard.

The stress on their families, especially those in areas a long distance from Whangarei, who can't always remain with the child due to family and other commitments, is unfair and unwarranted.

It's also a worry to read that a child received treatment three days later after "political intervention" when everyone is entitled to an equally good level of care.

I assume that the elected DHB members do fight hard on our behalf.

For example, some years ago chairman Sally Macauley successfully managed to have soft drinks in hospitals replaced with bottles of water.

Additional funding is always welcome and should indeed be fought for, but broadcaster Paul Henry once commented that all this country can really afford is one hospital and a whole lot of fast ambulances.

So maybe it's time for the elected members to have a look at how the already available funds are spent, as in the ratio of management/admin to those who are actually doing the repair jobs.

It may be just fine, but as the editorial says, we just don't know, and possibly no one has done a review since then chairman Wayne Brown did at least 10 years ago.

SHERYL BAINBRIDGE
Cooper's Beach