Clarification and apology

In an article headed "Hospitals Failed to Monitor Surgeon's Work: Report" published on February 24, 2005, the Herald said a Tauranga surgeon, Mr Ian Breeze, had been found guilty by the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and had been the subject of four successful complaints (out of seven) to the Health and Disability Commissioner, arising out of the provision of surgical services.

The Herald accepts that these findings of the tribunal and commissioner did not concern surgical services but instead concerned other aspects of work for which Mr Breeze had some responsibility.

The Herald apologises to Mr Breeze for any misunderstanding of the conduct which may have given rise to these findings.