29 Dec 2010

Govt claims do not match reality - hospital trust

12:17 pm on 29 December 2010

Christchurch Charity Hospital Trust says the Government's claim of increasing elective surgeries does not match reality.

The hospital conducts about 300 free operations a year for whose condition is not bad enough to be fixed in the public system, but who cannot afford private care.

It aims to provide 400 free operations next year and says free services are also starting in Nelson and Dunedin.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says funding has been provided for 400 extra patients per week to have elective surgery.

But the Charity Hospital Trust Board says the minister's comments do not tally with what it knows about people whose needs are not met.

It says patients with routine conditions can't even get an outpatients appointment at Christchurch hospital.