Surgery at last for 8-year-old waiting-list victim

Patrick Casey's brain surgery was repeatedly delayed before his mother Vanessa went public with his case. Picture / Martin Sykes

An 8-year-old Auckland boy whose life-threatening brain condition was at the centre of a parliamentary row over hospital waiting lists has had successful surgery.

Patrick Casey's operation for a malformed artery in his brain - known as arteriovenous malformation (AVM) - was twice delayed because of hospital staff shortages. The stress on the Howick family persuaded Patrick's mother Vanessa to go public by writing to her local MP, Judith Collins.

Ms Casey said that was a difficult decision because it meant having to explain to her son for the first time the seriousness of his condition.

"I had to be an advocate for my child, even though I know there are people out there with things like brain tumours who just can't wait," Ms Casey said.

"There will be other children in this situation and it's just not good enough."

Patrick's condition has been with him since birth but was undetected until a seizure last year caused an aneurism to form. A rupture could have caused brain damage, a major stroke or death.

In mid-March, Ms Casey was told Patrick would be admitted for surgery on April 1 but the date was moved to April 10 because no consultant was available.

About a week later, she was told a shortage of theatre nurses meant no date could be given for the operation.

Surgeon Andrew Law said at the time that the wait was "hugely frustrating" but Patrick was not the only patient affected.

Auckland District Health Board figures for March show 117 people waiting for an initial neurological assessment while 144, told they needed treatment, were still waiting after six months.

Ms Casey believes that National Party health spokesman Tony Ryall's decision to raise the matter in Parliament helped to get Patrick treated.

She said she found the response of the Health Minister at the time, Pete Hodgson, to her son's plight unhelpful. "He was just arrogant."

Kay Hymann, general manager of the women and children's service at Auckland City Hospital, says the district health board does not comment on individual cases. But it was obliged to provide fair and honest medical care to all patients and their families.

Where a date of surgery cannot be guaranteed the board must advise them.

"This is a responsibility of the board, and significant media and parliamentary debate will not change this responsibility."

Yesterday, mother and son were getting back to normal after what Dr Law said was an "excellent" operation which lasted a gruelling 10 hours.

"The surgeon thought before the operation was done that if the artery had ruptured it could have been fatal but once he did the operation he said it would have been," Ms Casey said.

Patrick will be on blood pressure medication for a time but will lead a normal life.