Hospital experience ‘less than satisfactory’

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

I experienced a less than satisfactory experience at Gisborne Hospital (Hauora Tairawhiti) recently and a letter of complaint about my treatment in the surgical ward was emailed to the health board chair Kim Ngarimu on the 2nd of March 2021. I am still waiting to hear from the chairman, despite giving my address and phone number and asking for a reply to my concerns. I do note there have been several issues raised by other patients through The Gisborne Herald lately so I am not an isolated case.

Is this lack of a direct response indicative of a lack of backbone and will to address my complaint good enough from a government-appointed chair?

D Jackson

Response from Jim Green, Hauora Tairawhiti chief executive:

The letter has been read by the Hauora Tairawhiti board chair Ms Kim Ngarimu, who has forwarded the letter to the Hauora Tairawhiti Quality and Risk Manager with a request that the complaint be fully investigated.

Naturally this will take time to ensure full consideration and in the interim contact is being kept with your correspondent.

We welcome feedback from people using our services. All complaints are logged, investigated and responded to.

This complaint will be treated the same. DHB staff, rather than governance, are tasked with investigating the details of complaints and resolving any issues raised.

Anyone with feedback on their experience at Gisborne Hospital or with Hauora Tairawhiti services is encouraged to complete the form on Hauora Tairawhiti's website or available in prominent places around Gisborne Hospital.

They can also call 06 869 0500 to give their feedback verbally or email feedback@tdh.org.nz