UPSET DOCTOR WITHDRAWS SERVICES

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 19, 1 October 1985, Page 1

UPSET DOCTOR WITHDRAWS SERVICES

Ohakune's Dr Perera has decided that he will no longer be available for maternity services. This action follows the closure of the Waimarino Hospital to maternity cases for the time being because of staff sickness. Dr Perera says he is upset that the Wanganui Hospital Board (from today part of the Wanganui Area Health Board) did not contact him before closing the maternity unit.

"If they had contacted me first I'm sure we copld have found a qualified midwife in the area to help out in the meantime," he said. He said he had already spoken to a local person who was qualified and who had worked at the hospital before. He claims the hospital board made no effort to get extra staff. Dorothy Scarrow, Waimarino representative on the health board, explained

that the closure was forced on the hospital. "One midwife is just not enough — we will opdn just as soon as the sick midwife is well again," she said. Dr Perera says that he has been available weekends and holidays for maternity cases. "If the authorities are not prepared to provide minimum standards I do not wish to continue maternity services," he said.