Hospital spot checks 'storm in a bedpan'

One medical union is describing the stir about the Health Minister's surprise spot checks on hospitals as a "storm in a bedpan".

Tony Ryall admits that he visits hospital emergency departments saying it's important to see first-hand what is happening.

Former Labour Health Minister Annette King has accused him of sneaking into hospitals to spy on staff.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell doesn't think it's that bad.

However he warns that what Mr Ryall is seeing is a limited glimpse of what happens in a hospital and he'd be unwise to draw too many conclusions.

- NEWSTALK ZB