Waikato asks for help for heart ops

The Waikato District Health Board says it will be unable to meet its target for heart operations this year and has called in an Australian reviewer to help.

The board is basing its prediction on its failure to meet its target for the year ended July. It processed 418 out of 503 cases, and has set itself the lower target of 485 cases for the year to June 2005.

Health services general manager Mary Bonner said reasons for the shortfall included complex cases, lack of intensive care beds and occasional staff shortages.

Committee chairwoman Sally Christie said calling in an outside reviewer was necessary because the board wanted an independent view.