‘Talk to iwi’ says doctor after denying man hip op

A Marlborough man out of work for two years with a dodgy hip has been told by his orthopaedic consultant to talk through his frustrations with iwi – and come back in a year.

Seddon man Reuben Tawhara, 42, was told by an orthopaedic surgeon that he needed surgery after his hip gave way. However, another doctor disagreed, instead recommending a ‘‘conservative’’ treatment plan.

Tawhara is left unable to work and disgusted at how he’s been treated by the health system.

‘‘I’m struggling. Being on a Winz benefit, it’s hard,’’ Tawhara, who lives on $228.94 a week, said.

‘‘It’s just chaos. You can’t even live on it. I want to go back to work, that’s what I kept saying to my doctor.’’

In the most recent letter to Tawhara’s GP, orthopaedic consultant Richard Peterson said he felt surgery was not in ‘‘Reuben’s best interest’’.

‘‘I have suggested to Reuben that he discuss things with Winz to try and look at retraining options. We also offered support through the local iwi to see if this could help him, particularly in regards to his frustrations.’’

Although Tawhara was at the ‘‘younger end of the spectrum’’, this had not influenced their decision, the letter said.

Being directed to iwi was no help, Tawhara said.

‘‘They wouldn’t help me. I know that for sure. The frustrations are already there.

‘‘I told him straight, that I just wanted to get my operation so I can get back to work. That will cut a lot of that frustration out.’’

Tawhara said he had just got home from working on a construction site in May 2016 and was reaching for a bottle of milk when his hip gave out.

In July 2016, orthopaedic surgeon Rick Wilson diagnosed Tawhara with femoral acetabular impingement; a condition where the ball shaped femoral head rubs abnormally. He recommended a total replacement of the right hip.

In December, Tawhara received a letter that said he would be scheduled for surgery within the next four months.

However, in March last year he saw orthopaedic surgeon Andy Meighan, who decided surgery was not the best option.

In a later letter, surgeon Kate Ball said another colleague had felt Tawhara was ‘‘probably too young’’ for hip replacement.

She gave him local anesthetic and a cortisone injection.

Tawhara said he had 23 years left of his working life, and he was wasting it away at home.

‘‘I need money before retirement . . . It puts me off that I can’t go back to work. It disgusts me actually,’’ he said. ‘‘And I’m actually disgusted with the hospital. It just throws me right in