No excuse for surgery delays
I travelled for my operation
It’s disturbing to read the two recent articles on the front page of The Southland Times with regards to the appalling waiting times these people are going through waiting for hip replacement surgery.
The effects this is having on their quality of life, physically and mentally, are disgusting and no excuse from the Southern District Health Board or the Government, including the minister of health, is acceptable.
I also recently faced a similar situation. After seeing my GP I was referred to see a specialist through the public system after 12 months’ waiting.
To my horror I received a letter of notification stating I had been removed from the list. Unbelievable, as my condition had worsened so much I could hardly walk and was in severe pain.
I then paid my GP another visit only to be told I would have to reapply to be seen and then wait at least 12 months.
I accepted the fact that I would have to pay for the operation, which I was quoted just short of $30,000 for the replacement here in New Zealand.
It was then that I decided I would choose who I paid including where and when I would get the operation. After extensive due diligence I went abroad just over 12 months ago to have the same operation successfully completed by a top surgeon for around half the cost all up of having it done here.
The service and care I received to date has been second to none.
I am more than happy to share my knowledge with anyone finding themselves in a similar hopeless situation here in God’s Own.
Tony Bower, Invercargill
An expensive visit home
My family and I are coming to Invercargill for Christmas from Auckland to visit family.
Having flown on the direct service several times now, we looked forward to using that.
I went online to check out bookings and could not see that flight offered.
I contacted Air New Zealand and the response was: ‘‘Over the holiday period, the direct service will be available up to 21 December 2020 and resume again from 10 January 2021.’’
I find it hard to believe there is not demand, both ways, leading up to Christmas for people wanting that service.
Not only that, but even now, booking in March, the cheapest fare on Wednesday December 23, seat only, is $209 from Auckland to Invercargill, one way.
That may be as it is via Christchurch. When there is a family of four or five flying, this makes for a very expensive visit home.
Robyn Gray, Auckland
Wellbeing a worthy sentiment
Regardless of the names they use, the parties in government in New Zealand can be categorised as: Planet First, People First, Profit First, Politics First.
They all claim to represent the best interests of the citizens of this country. How successful they are depends on who you ask, and we will get some indication of that later in the year.
‘‘Wellbeing’’ is an attempt by this Government to recognise that a ‘‘rock star economy’’ does not correlate well with the struggles to get by that many of us feel these days. A rock star economy and inadequate funding of health services, education and housing simply do not compute.
Our present-day economies evolved from barter systems so as to enable the easier exchange of goods and services between individuals. Sadly it has mutated into a self-serving global phenomenon that is now only fit for the 1 per cent who pay homage to the ‘‘bottom line’’.
Wellbeing is a worthy sentiment. The courage to make it a reality by putting the citizen first may be seen in the next ‘‘wellbeing’’ budget.
Here’s hoping. The sooner the neoliberal experiment becomes history the better.
Daniel Phillips, Invercargill