GPs demand action over waiting lists

TAURANGA - Frustrated doctors yesterday reeled off a list of lengthy waiting times at Tauranga Hospital, and said it was time action was taken to reduce the suffering of their patients queuing up for assessment and treatment.

The list was released by Katikati GP Jeff Friis, chairman of the Medical Association's Bay of Plenty branch.

He had been approached by a number of Tauranga GPs who had cited increasing difficulty in getting hospital care for their patients.

The move was prompted by the case of a 70-year-old woman now undergoing treatment in Christchurch for a bowel blockage after her daughter became weary of waiting times in Tauranga.

Helen Henshilwood, who suffered most of this year waiting for scans and appointments, obtained an appointment with a Christchurch specialist within two days.

Her daughter Helen Henderson, who arranged the appointment, has since lodged complaints with the Health Funding Authority and Tauranga MP Winston Peters.

Dr Friis said patients were waiting up to 15 months to see hospital specialists after referral by their GPs, and similar periods for treatment if they were deemed to qualify.

Too often, people with elective surgery appointments were turned away at the last minute because of emergencies.

Dr Friis was aware of one man accepted for vascular surgery who was turned away five times.

Many of those left waiting for long periods were suffering pain and distress, and GPs - some simply looking for a specialist opinion before deciding on further action - faced frustration.

He said action was needed in Tauranga to ensure hospital services caught up with the district's "spectacular" growth.

- NZPA