Waikato hospital surgeons say patients at risk from targets

Surgeons at Waikato hospital say patient safety is at risk as follow up appointments are limited so priority can be given to first specialist assessments, so as to meet government targets, and not lose millions in funding. 13 orthopaedic surgeons at the Waikato DHB wrote to the Chief Executive in September saying they no longer have faith in management and that Waikato hospital is no longer a safe place to practice elective surgery. Kathryn Ryan speaks to the Executive Director of Waikato Hospital Services, Brett Paradine and the executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists.