While adding to the skills of poorly resourced Rarotonga Hospital staff was the focus, Mercy staff could probably learn from the Cook Islands, he said.
Kirstein Atingakau finishes her stint at Mercy tomorrow, having spent a month in the Dunedin private hospital's post-anaesthetic care unit.
Miss Atingakau said she enjoyed working with Mercy doctors and nurses and learned much to take home.
With six operating theatres at Mercy, compared with one in Rarotonga, the post-anaesthetic unit was much busier in Dunedin, she said.
Dr Hyndman volunteered at Rarotonga Hospital in September to give the resident anaesthetist a break and, while there, devised the nurse exchange programme.
Rarotonga Hospital doctors and nurses were capable and did a good job with limited resources, but lacked opportunities for higher training and professional development, he said.
While Miss Atingakau's visit had been a success, further visits was up to the Cook Islands hospital.
"We would prefer to be guided by the Cook Islanders themselves as to whether the visit has been beneficial. We have got off to a good start and, hopefully, the reciprocal visits will continue."
In time, it was hoped Mercy nurses would spend time in Rarotonga.
"It would be a mistake to think this is a one-way street. I am sure the Mercy nurses gain a lot from the exposure to the Rarotongan perspective," he said.
The exchange programme was supported by Mercy Hospital's charity mission.
Mission co-ordinator Dr Janice McDrury said it was hoped Mercy, over time, could help establish protocols for Rarotonga's post-anaesthetic care nurses, making them less dependent on the supervision of anaesthetists.
