Health chiefs lift threat against outspoken surgeon

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Outspoken Auckland orthopaedic surgeon Bruce Twaddle has had a censure notice against him lifted after an outcry by doctors and other patients' advocates.

Auckland District Health Board interim chief executive Garry Smith last night said the letter that threatened Mr Twaddle with possible dismissal if he made further public comments about patient safety had been withdrawn.

He said an agreement had been reached "in the interests of patients and wider public debate" with Mr Twaddle, who is the new Auckland City Hospital's head of orthopaedic trauma services.

"There was a lack of clarity about the boundaries between internal policies and the professional and ethical obligations of clinical staff to 'speak out' on matters of patient safety," he said.

The settlement was greeted with relief by Mr Twaddle and welcomed by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists as an affirmation of the right of doctors to speak out as advocates for their patients.

"If this had not been resolved it would have been a real setback for patients' rights because it would have silenced one of their most effective advocates," said executive director Ian Powell.

Mr Twaddle told the Herald he had been amazed by an outpouring of support for his stand from colleagues as far away as the United States and Britain.

Hospital general manager Meng Cheong told Mr Twaddle in the letter handed to him on Thursday that he risked being dismissed if he made further public comments similar to those that triggered the warning.

The reprimand was over his claim in a Herald report about a reduced number of beds at the new hospital compromising the safety of patients.

Mr Smith said in a joint statement with Mr Twaddle that it was decided not to let a censure notice remain against an individual when there was "doubt over the boundaries of internal and external processes and their timeliness."