KEY POINTS:
Uncertainty over the future of obstetric and gynaecology services in Wanganui looks to be over after a former staffer returned to the fold.
Wanganui Hospital suspended its specialist obstetric and gynaecology services last month, forcing nine women to be transferred to neighbouring hospitals after the Medical Council declined a supervisory plan for one of its two specialists.
Doctors newly arrived in New Zealand must have on-site supervision until the council is assured they are safe to practise, and a personality clash between the specialists had led to a breakdown.
Hospital general manager Jeanette Black said Whanganui DHB was grateful that Mark Stegman, who resigned in 2006, citing problems with the workload, would return to the hospital within three months.
She told the Dominion Postthe DHB had also made an agreement of support in principle with a larger DHB that would provide cover and resolve supervision problems.
The agreement was expected to be signed this week and services should be back at strength in about three months.
The DHB is still recruiting, however, as the specialist due to start this month had his provisional registration rejected by the council.
It had been an unstable time with services "hobbling" along with locum cover but the hospital had come a long way and was in a brighter position now, Ms Black said.
- NZPA
