Doctors fear cuts will compromise safety

Doctors are concerned patient safety will be compromised if Wellington Hospital goes ahead with plans to cut "non-essential" services for a week in order to save money.

Elective surgery and non-essential support services would be cut over the week of June 21 and staff would be asked to take annual leave, DHB chief operating officer Shaun Drummond told the Dominion Post.

The Resident Doctors Association had expressed concern that patient safety would be compromised but Mr Drummond said the impact on patients would be minimal.

Resident Doctors Association general secretary Deborah Powell said the cuts will create longer lines for those waiting for elective surgery.

Labour health spokeswoman Ruth Dyson said the cuts were because Wellington Hospital was under pressure to balance it books no matter the impact this had on patient safety.

Mr Drummond said the DHB's hospital and health service was currently $2.7 million over its budgeted deficit of $53m.

- NZPA