Christchurch Patient Faces Surgery Uncertainty After Erroneous Letter

A patient in Christchurch received alarming news regarding his surgery for chronic kidney stones due to a letter sent in error by Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora. Robert Woolley, a resident of Hornby, was informed that the hospital could only accommodate patients with non-deferrable conditions, such as cancer, leading him to fear an indefinite wait for his procedure.

Woolley was scheduled for a laser lithotripsy to dissolve large kidney stones, a procedure which requires full sedation. While he was away for Christmas, a letter dated December 17 arrived, confirming his place on the waitlist. However, an attached notice from Christchurch Hospital’s urology service warned patients about potentially much longer wait times for deferrable procedures, including his.

The notice stated: “Unfortunately, the health system has been under very high pressure, in part due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19. We currently only have capacity to treat patients with a non-deferrable condition, such as cancer.” It went on to explain that many patients would need to be prioritized for surgery once capacity improved, which could take significant time.

This information left Woolley feeling anxious about his future treatment. He had previously undergone two non-invasive extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsies (ESWL) that failed to eliminate his kidney stones. He expressed concern that larger stones could damage his kidneys if left untreated. “The stones are not able to move on their own – you have to destroy them in there,” he explained.

Woolley described the severe pain he experiences when the stones shift, recalling a recent instance when he had to leave a café in agony. “The moment I was halfway down the road, I was in excruciating agony,” he shared. He emphasized the urgency he felt, stating, “If you need to have an operation, and you know that you need it… you just want to get it over and done with.”

After the concerns were raised, Hamish Brown, group director of operations for Canterbury at Health NZ, acknowledged the mistake. He stated that the letter sent to some patients contained outdated information, which had since been corrected. “We apologise for any concern or confusion this may have caused,” he said, adding that updated information would be re-issued to affected patients as a priority.

Brown reassured patients that the urology service is actively treating individuals with deferrable conditions. He noted that referral restrictions were lifted in mid-2022 and that care is being provided based on clinical need. Currently, 80% of patients are receiving their procedures within the four-month timeframe as per national health targets.

While Woolley appreciated the correction regarding the error, he remains skeptical about the administrative processes at the hospital. “Let’s hope if and when I get my treatment, the surgical team are a little more onto it than the admin team,” he remarked.

The situation highlights ongoing challenges within healthcare systems, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which continues to strain resources and affect patient care. As Woolley awaits further updates, the emphasis remains on ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate information regarding their health conditions and treatments.