Surgeon upbeat about warning

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Top orthopaedic surgeon Bruce Twaddle, censured for criticising bed capacity at the new Auckland City Hospital, was last night optimistic that a warning letter would be withdrawn.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists also expected the letter to "go away" as a result of a meeting late on Friday between Mr Twaddle, his departmental head and Auckland District Health Board interim chief executive Garry Smith.

A board spokeswoman confirmed good progress had been made in the meeting with Mr Twaddle, the new hospital's head of orthopaedic trauma services. Mr Smith is expected to issue a statement today.

Mr Twaddle said the meeting was "the most positive experience" of his dealings with management in about six years.

He said his new workplace was an excellent hospital, well-designed and well-equipped.

"There just needs to be more of it."

Mr Twaddle was censured last week by hospital general manager Meng Cheong after claiming in a Herald report about a reduction of around 70 beds at the new hospital that resource restrictions were compromising patient care.