Te Hiku No hard feelings

The trust that governs Kaitaia general practice Te Hau Ora o Te Hiku o Te Ika is pleased that its former employee, Dr Lance O'Sullivan, is to continue practicing in the North.

Dr O'Sullivan, who parted company with Te Hiku in June, amidst what appeared to be some acrimony, announced last week that he and his wife, a registered nurse, planned to open a surgery in Kaitaia before the end of the year.

Chairman Dr Bruce Gregory said the trust was pleased that the North would not lose Dr O'Sullivan, but a number of claims he made about his work at Te Hiku when he announced his practice intentions were not correct.

"Dr O'Sullivan was never warned against making house calls, as he claimed on Radio New Zealand," Dr Gregory said.

"He was simply asked to inform our administration staff so patients could be invoiced."

Nor had he ever been "warned" about treating patients who could not pay. Rather he was asked to allow administration to find solutions for those having payment difficulties, as they were most familiar with the options available, including free services.

"We wish Dr O'Sullivan well in his new practice and are glad that he has not been lost to health care in Northland, but it is unfortunate that he continues to attack the reputation of Te Hiku in ways that are quite unjustified and incorrect," he added.

Te Hiku's $67,000 in outstanding patient debt showed it put patients' needs first, and it would continue to do so, Dr Gregory said, while at the same time seeking to cover costs and make services accessible for all.

"Our people are just as passionate about raising health care access and provision in the Far North.

Operating our trust and our clinic in a sustainable and prudent manner is part of that," he concluded.