The pain of an ailing system

Elective surgery patients around the country are waiting longer for treatment as hospitals fail to meet Ministry of Health targets. This is one case.

"I do literally feel you are a number on a list, you're not a person … Your life is at the mercy of where you are on that list."

Patient whose surgery was cancelled at the last minute

they had no opportunity to allocate another surgeon.

The procedure had been rebooked for April 24 at Christchurch Hospital and could go ahead earlier if there was a cancellation.

Smith said the experience was extremely upsetting.

‘‘I do literally feel you are a number on a list, you’re not a person … Your life is at the mercy of where you are on that list.’’

The ministry said the published results for Canterbury, MidCentral and Wairarapa DHBs did not reflect ‘‘actual patient numbers’’ due to issues created by an upgrade of a patient data system.

CDHB funding and planning manager Carolyn Gullery said the DHB worked hard to deliver an increased number of elective surgeries each year despite challenges, including a lack of theatre space.

‘‘Canterbury DHB is extremely conscious of the impact on patients of delays, which is why we focus on getting all patients through in a timely manner and generally succeed.’’