The Southern District Health Board is to conduct a ''thorough review'' of its actions after the father of a 3-week-old baby whose throat was slashed in Invercargill this week blamed Southland Hospital for turning his wife away when she asked for help.
David Milton told the Southland Times he took his wife, Sucharitta, to the hospital at 3am on Sunday because she was in extreme pain from the multiple stitches after the birth of their daughter Noklair.
After several tests, she was told she had postnatal depression and mastitis, and was told to visit her GP on Monday.
He described the doctor's attitude to his wife as ''absolutely disgusting''.
On Monday morning, the family's house had become a crime scene.
Baby Noklair was rushed to Southland Hospital with life-threatening injuries, and Mrs Milton was also taken to the hospital with cuts to her wrists.
Southern District Health Board chief executive officer Carole Heatly said it was ''a tragic and extremely difficult situation'' and she extended her sympathy to all those involved.
''We are conducting a thorough review of the care Mrs Milton received.
''We are committed to ensuring all our patients receive safe, high-quality care, and if that was not the case, we will undertake clear action to improve our service.
''The DHB is limited in what it can comment on around this case, as we need to respect patient privacy and are also mindful of the ongoing police investigation into this matter.''
Inspector Olaf Jensen, of Invercargill, said the incident was an active criminal investigation, so police were still not able to comment on the nature of the baby's injuries or how they were caused.
''Our inquiries into the incident are continuing.''
Baby Noklair remains in a critical but stable condition at Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland.
