A win-lose situation

I have long thought that the medically sacred term ‘‘patient confidentiality’’ was thought up to protect health practitioners from contumely when they have blundered, rather than benefit their suffering patients.

Critically ill teen made to wait in unit outside hospital (Nov 10), about the teenager who came close to dying from pneumonia when parked for hours in a cold outhouse, reinforces my beliefs.

Yes, we have the Health and Disability Commissioner, and coroners’ inquests, but the delays in those systems are well organised to allow merited public disapproval to fade away.

In the case of the teenager, patient confidentiality was waived, to little avail. ACC rules usually take out dealing to the delinquent caregivers, even assuming ACC agrees to provide compensation to the victim. It is a win-lose situation, seldom win-win.

Peter Waring, Eketāhuna