“Long Surgical Waiting Times Shifts Risk To Patients And Doctors; Unfair And Unjust”
“Long surgical waiting times are unfair and unjust because they shift the risk of denied essential care to patients and
doctors,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.
Mr Powell was commenting on the Wellington Medical School survey on the effect of growing waiting lists on doctors.
“Delayed essential care is denied essential care that increases the risk of harm and suffering for patients. It is also
highly stressful for hospital doctors and general practitioners who are left to carry the professional responsibility
for decisions made by politicians and bureaucrats. It is heartbreaking for doctors to see their patients suffer because
they are being denied care that doctors could provide if they were allowed to.”
“Delaying essential care is also poor economics. It is usually cheaper to treat patients earlier before their
conditions deteriorate to the point of becoming much more expensive.” “The practical reality of doctors and patients is
often markedly different from the frustrating political media spin that minimises the significance of the unfairness and
injustice,” concluded Mr Powell.