24 Jun 2009

Elective surgeries at Grey Hospital postponed

1:42 pm on 24 June 2009

Some elective surgeries at Grey Base Hospital have been postponed after a locum tested positive for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

The West Coast District Health Board says a locum anaethetist was found to have the infection as part of a routine check for staff before they start work at the hospital.

The person will not return to work until they have been treated for the bacterial infection, which is resistant to certain types of antibiotics.

The district health board says the disruption will not affect all surgeries, but some will have to be rescheduled.