Health NZ Admits Error, Eases Surgery Concerns for Christchurch Man

A letter mistakenly sent by Health NZ has caused anxiety for a Christchurch patient awaiting surgery for chronic kidney stones. Robert Woolley, a resident of Hornby, received a notification dated December 17 while on holiday, indicating his place on the waitlist for a procedure known as laser lithotripsy. The letter included a concerning notice that suggested significant delays for non-urgent surgeries, leading him to fear an indefinite wait.

The attached notice, originating from the urology department at Christchurch Hospital, stated that the health system was under “very high pressure,” primarily due to the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It emphasized that the hospital could only treat patients with “non-deferrable conditions, such as cancer,” suggesting that patients like Woolley might face much longer delays than anticipated for procedures deemed deferrable.

Woolley, who has undergone two previous non-invasive procedures known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsies (ESWL), expressed his concern that untreated kidney stones could lead to severe complications. A specialist had recently referred him for laser lithotripsy, a procedure requiring general anesthesia to destroy the stones. “The stones are not able to move on their own – you have to destroy them in there,” he explained, highlighting the necessity of the surgery for his health.

Currently stable, Woolley recounted past episodes of intense pain caused by his condition, describing it as “excruciating.” He recalled a particularly painful incident when he had to abandon a planned meeting with a friend due to sudden agony. “When the pain hits, you know it immediately,” he said.

The letter’s implications left Woolley feeling uneasy. “It almost sounded like no guarantee of surgery at all,” he noted, expressing frustration about the uncertainty. “If you know you need an operation, you just want to get it over and done with.”

In response to inquiries from The Press, Hamish Brown, Health NZ’s group director of operations for Canterbury, acknowledged the error. “A letter sent to some patients was not updated correctly and contains outdated information,” he stated. Brown assured that the situation had been rectified and that updated information would be promptly sent to affected patients. “We apologise for any concern or confusion this may have caused,” he added.

Brown further clarified that the urology service remains committed to treating patients with deferrable conditions. “Referral restrictions were removed midway through last year, and care continues to be provided based on clinical need. Currently, 80% of patients are receiving their procedures within the national health target of four months,” he explained.

While Woolley welcomed the news that the letter was sent in error, he remains apprehensive about the overall management of his case. “Let’s hope if and when I get my treatment, the surgical team is a little more onto it than the admin team,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of effective communication in the healthcare system.