Divisions in community blamed for surgery loss

Around-the-clock surgery is now a thing of the past for Kaitaia Hospital.

Health Minister Annette King and the Ministry of Health say they have been assured that the Northland District Health Board has made suitable arrangements to move to an 8am-6pm, Monday-to-Friday surgery regime at the hospital, paving the way for the board to end 24-hour surgery.

The board said the changes were needed because an independent review team found that although the hospital should stay open, 24-hour surgery was not sustainable.

Its removal came without fanfare and at least one major opponent was unaware of the change.

Kaitaia Action Group member and Northland Federated Farmers president Ian Walker said he was "totally unaware" that round-the-clock care had ended.

"The Far North community has missed out because the community failed to stick together," he said. "Mediocrity reigns."

Mr Walker said opposition to the changes had been undermined by community groups that chose to support the board.

"When the DHB starts reneging on its promises they [the community] will know who supported them and it will be on their heads."

Board chief executive Karyn McPeake said Kaitaia and Whangarei staff had been working closely with other agencies and the community to prepare for the change.

"We are confident building blocks are now in place to meet our commitments and satisfy the concerns of the minister and Far North residents," she said.

"As identified by local GPs, Maori health providers and Far North iwi, and supported by the independent review team report, cessation of acute after-hours surgery is not the key issue.

"The real issue is the huge unmet need within the Far North community, particularly Maori."

Health providers were also joining forces to establish an accident and medical centre at Kaitaia Hospital.

- NZPA