Response to SDHB commissioners

In reply to the SDHB Commissioners’ public response (ODT 12/08/17).

You wrote several smooth statements which raised my hackles almost as much as the nonsense uttered recently by both our Health Minster and our Prime Minister.

You acknowledge that the way to reduce the deficit is NOT to reduce services? Very good!

Why then have you repeatedly reduced allocations to Oamaru Hospital so that they have been compelled to cut inpatient beds from 30 to 24? Oamaru Hospital ED had 7,000 patients to deal with last year, when your allocation was for 4,000.

Why have you cut the allocation to 3,000 instead of raising it? That doesn’t make sense. Our population is older than most, and tourism is increasing, so it’s likely that this year,

Oamaru ED would have to treat more than 7,000 or send the overflow to Dunedin.

You wrote of enabling older patients to avoid long waits in ED. Please be real, and deal to real life situations. Only yesterday my wife was taken to Oamaru Hospital by two excellent St. John Paramedics, where she received A1 care and consideration. The doctor wanted to admit her, but the beds were full, so he discussed sending her to Dunedin, far from family and with no public transport available. So we waited in ED until he could discharge another patient after lunch.

Actions speak louder than words Commissioners, so please back up yours with action. Increase the Oamaru Allocations to a sensible level, in the best interest of our population, which stretches from Hampden to way up the Waitaki valley and inland.

 - John Gregory

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