Surgeon failed in patient follow-up

Tauranga surgeon Ian Breeze has been found to have made errors in four of seven cases, following an investigation by the Health and Disability Commissioner.

Ron Paterson last night released the first part of findings into the care provided by Mr Breeze, who has been already found guilty of professional misconduct for a patient's death.

The investigation looked into the treatment of seven patients Mr Breeze provided care for between September 1998 and April 2002 at Tauranga, Norfolk Community and Norfolk/Southern Cross Hospitals.

Mr Paterson has found flaws with four of the cases and has recommended Mr Breeze apologise to the patient and review his practice.

In one, Mr Breeze was found to have breached the Code of Patients' Rights by not managing an infection a patient developed after surgery.

The inquiry also found Mr Breeze did not manage the post-operation condition of a hernia patient who suffered swelling, bruising, pain in his groin area and persisting impotence. The commissioner found the operation had been performed to professional standards.

The commissioner's findings come after the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal found Mr Breeze guilty of professional misconduct over the death of 65-year-old patient Lionel Crowley.

Mr Crowley died in December 1999 when he developed an infection after a botched bowel operation.

The Medical Council put formal restrictions on Mr Breeze's practice, banning him from colorectal surgery until he undertook retraining.

A second part of the commissioner's inquiry relates to whether the hospitals he worked at during the seven cases - Tauranga, Norfolk Community and Norfolk/Southern Cross - took adequate steps to ensure that Mr Breeze was competent to practise surgery and to respond to concerns about his practice. They will be released in March.