WELLINGTON - Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson will investigate patient care and management practices at Gisborne Hospital.
Health Minister Annette King said she had originally asked the Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi, to arrange an investigation into quality and safety issues at the hospital. That investigation would have been conducted under the Hospitals Act.
"But the commissioner can bring a wider focus to bear as he is able to investigate any issue related to patient rights under the Code of Health and Disability Consumers' Rights which is, of course, extremely relevant for people of the Gisborne region," Mrs King said.
The investigation was prompted by allegations that a former Gisborne Hospital anaesthetist rubbed ice cubes over women's breasts during surgery, threw syringes and bloody needles, and cut or ripped gowns off female patients.
The Canadian anaesthetist also allegedly reused syringes, putting 134 surgery patients at risk of contracting hepatitis B, and C, and HIV.
Matters to be investigated were:
* Operating theatre protocols and compliance with such protocols between last October and now.
* Quality assurance systems at Gisborne Hospital, including incident reporting protocols and systems.
* The handling of incidents reported by staff between last October and this month, including the issue of reused syringes.
* Allegations of inadequate standards of patient care in surgical and intensive care services last April and May.
Mrs King said the Health Ministry would assist the commissioner if necessary, and she was confident he would also receive the full cooperation of Tairawhiti Healthcare, which ran the hospital, and its staff.
Mr Paterson's investigation would probably start with a site visit between July 17 and 21.
- NZPA
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