Mountain Scene
July 5, 2021
By MATTHEW MCKEW
Thousands of dollars spent transporting patients with broken bones to Southland and Dunedin hospitals could soon be saved.
Southern District Health Board and ACC have been spending up to $560 each way on transporting patients with orthopaedic injuries by taxi from Queenstown to the base hospitals.
While the DHB’s rural manager Debi Lawry says it’s rare for taxis to be sanctioned, St John’s shuttles or petrol-expense paid private cars are used regularly.
Mountain Scene understands some complete the $1000-plus round taxi trip without treatment because they’re bumped down the operating list, due to more urgent cases coming in.
It's "hugely concerning" that elective surgeries are being cancelled daily due to a shortage of beds and anaesthetic technicians, the body representing surgeons says.
Southern District Health Board restricts surgeries as bed demand soars
10 Jan, 2021 09:21 PM
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Southern hospitals are restricting elective surgeries due to bed shortages. Photo / 123RF
Otago Daily Times
Southern hospitals are continuing to restrict elective surgery as high numbers of patients put pressure on bed availability.
Just before Christmas the Southern District Health Board postponed all deferrable elective surgery after unprecedented demand in southern emergency departments.
Some operations continued to be deferred at Dunedin Hospital, although most surgery had resumed, surgical services general manager Janine Cochrane said.
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Advertisement However, the wards remained under significant pressure.
Southland Hospital would maintain its low operation numbers for another week and the situation would then be reassessed, Cochrane said.