Oamaru Hospital crisis needs to be resolved

YOUR recent article about poor performance of both Tourism Waitaki and Waitaki District Health Services reflects badly on the Waitaki District Council (ODT, 8.4.20).

Like many public services where we have ‘‘people spending other people’s money’’, achieving a positive result is often hindered by wellmeaning but ineffectual people making bad decisions.

Bad decisions and incompatible personalities leads to hospital deficit blowouts from $600,000 to $1,176,227 in the six short months since the Oamaru Hospital restructure.

Why is Oamaru Hospital burdened with crippling locum doctor fees?

Simply because it cannot recruit or retain resident doctors. It’s not money or small town phobia that keeps doctors away. It is the recent and the current management regime.

Fix the problem then you are well on the way to achieving a safe and a happy work environment. That is all most people ask for.

Perhaps a look over the back fence and you might find the doctors you are looking for.

Peter Grant

Oamaru

Fleeing drivers

YET another crash caused by a fleeing driver.

It’s time, in my opinion, to change the rules for these, acceptable in today’s terminology, ‘‘idiots’’ and/or ‘‘dicks’’, to have their freedom curtailed.

Regardless of the Covid19 rules (that they still ignore), it’s time laws surrounding fleeing drivers were strengthened and enforced to make it an unacceptable choice.

A fleeing driver causing injury should be charged with attempted murder, those causing death, charged with murder.

Murder, not manslaughter. They are making a choice to flee. It isn’t an accident or an unfortunate set of circumstances, it’s their choice.

Let’s stamp out this pathetic practice these ‘‘dicks’’ seem to think is worth the risk.

James McAnally

Invercargill