Source: By Ruth Hill of RNZ / NZ Hearld
GPs say patients who desperately need hospital treatment are increasingly not even making it on to waiting lists.
An excerpt of a letter to a GP from Palmerston North Hospital’s orthopaedic clinic this year – obtained by RNZ – confirms some referrals are being knocked back because of “lack of resources”:
“This decision is forced upon us by a lack of sufficient resources to enable us to see all patients referred to us within the limits of the Ministry of Health waiting time targets.”
Until recently, former Palmerston North Mayor Heather Tanguay, 80, was one of those people living in limbo, waiting for a specialist appointment for her painful hip.
“I would lead a hīkoi if I could, of those waiting for surgery, but sadly, we would not make it – so many are now unable to leave their homes,” she said.
GPs say patients who desperately need hospital treatment are increasingly not even making it on to waiting lists.
Her condition suddenly deteriorated a few weeks ago.
“It was horrible – it felt as though my hip was going to collapse, so I went to the [Waitākere Hospital] emergency department.
“The fantastic doctor apologised for the situation, that it would take 300 days to be seen in the public system, and then he could not say when, or if even, I would ever have surgery.”
Her GP tried to get her bumped up the list.
“We were told there was no way, they were not reprioritising anyone.”
Tanguay’s only option was to pay privately for a hip replacement.
She felt fortunate that she was able to afford the $25,000-$35,000 operation, but said it made her angry to think of how many older New Zealanders would not have the money.
“It’s neglectful, shocking. It is a sad state of affairs when those who have given so much in the past to their country, now lie in their homes in pain waiting, waiting and waiting.”
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton, who represents senior hospital doctors and dentists, said such “rationing” was the reality in almost every department.
“So, a terrible letter to receive and not a great letter to send, but we do spend quite a bit of time with our members who are saying, ‘We can’t cover our service, we can’t see our patients, we haven’t got enough staff to cover the clinics, plus we’ve just lost another colleague to burnout'. ”
The union was urging other specialists to be honest about their limitations, Dalton said.
“[We say] we need to work out what you can safely – or relatively safely – stop doing, so you can manage your workload.”
Wellington doctor Samantha Murton, president of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said GPs “don’t refer for fun”.
“They do it because those patients need treatment, which can only be provided in a hospital.
“[It‘s] a total waste of time for me to refer someone three times when each time they say, ‘Yes, your patient needs [a referral] and no, we can’t do it, so go back to your GP and get referred again’. ”
Te Whatu Ora director of health targets Duncan Bliss said referrals for first specialist assessments were “individually assessed using documented clinical acceptance criteria”.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/patients-referred-for-orthopaedic-surgery-...