Treasured ring vanishes while patient in theatre

Irene Hart almost cried when her late husband's wedding ring disappeared. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Great-grandmother Irene Hart says her most painful experience at North Shore Hospital was the disappearance of her late husband's wedding ring while she was undergoing surgery.

The Indonesian-born 87-year-old from Titirangi says the Russian platinum wedding ring was the only item she had belonging to her first husband, Igor, who died in 1951, and she remains hopeful of being reunited with it.

"Igor gave me his wedding ring when he was very sick, on his deathbed, and told me, 'I cannot be with you, but my ring will protect you always'," Mrs Hart said.

"Through the years, the ring makes me feel like he is still with me ... but I feel so lost since the ring is gone. I was really upset."

Mrs Hart went to hospital for leg surgery in March last year, and a nurse told her she had to remove her watch and the eight rings she was wearing, including her late husband's wedding band.

She said the nurse put the rings on to a "sticky paper" and placed it, with the watch, in a bedside cabinet drawer before taking her into surgery. The items were gone when she returned.

The room was shared by two other women and a man, and there were also visitors at the time.

"I was almost in tears when I realised the ring was gone."

Mrs Hart said she reported the loss to police, but was told it would be "impossible" to get the ring back.

"I really don't care about the other items, but that ring means everything to me. I hope whoever took it has a conscience."

Mrs Hart said she had known her first husband since she was 4 and they married while prisoners in a Japanese camp in Indonesia during World War II.

They moved to Australia after the war, but her husband died five years after they wed.

Mrs Hart moved to New Zealand in the 1970s, after her second marriage to a New Zealander.

She is full of praise for her surgeon at North Shore, Dean Schluter.

"My leg has never been so fantastic ... He cares for you as a person, and I didn't feel like I was just a number. He was wonderful, before and after the surgery."

But losing the ring had left a "sour taste".

The chief executive of the Waitemata District Health Board, Dave Davies, said it was "deeply regrettable" that Mrs Hart's jewellery disappeared.

"We did a full and thorough investigation of this complaint at the time ... We have today followed up with Mrs Hart again and will look into the matter further."

The hospital had had two complaints of theft this year, and three relating to "accidental losses" of items such as hearing aids and false teeth, Mr Davies said.

"We do tell people not to bring valuables with them when they come into hospital."