Pensioner Forced To Chop Off Rotting Finger Due To Surgery Delay (Ah,yes,socialized medicine)

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | August 16, 2002 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Pensioner forced to chop off rotting finger due to surgery delay

August 16 2002

A New Zealand pensioner chopped off one of his rotting, gangrenous fingers with a pair of scissors because he could no longer stand the pain after waiting 20 months for surgery, it was reported yesterday.

The plight of Ted Matthews, from Timaru in the South Island, made headline television news, with gruesome footage shown of his hand with one blackened finger and thumb still dangling and two middle fingers gone.

The story drew the attention of Health Minister Annette King, who has asked health officials to brief her on the case.

Matthews is suffering from dry gangrene following cardiac surgery 20 months ago in Christchurch Hospital and his fingers are rotting and dying as a result.

Two of his fingers have already rotted off and he is desperate for surgery to amputate two remaining fingers.

He told Television One News he had been taking the strongest painkillers available since January last year to combat the often unbearable pain.

He used a pair of kitchen scissors earlier this year in desperation to chop off one of his rotting fingers.

Christchurch Hospital general manager Jim Magee said Matthews had been scheduled for surgery in the first week of September.

However, Matthews said he received a letter yesterday from the hospital telling him he would have to wait a further six months at least.

Magee said Matthews had a history of severe coronary artery disease, heart disease, renal failure, diverticulitis and diabetes, and had suffered three strokes.

Staffing shortages are endemic throughout most New Zealand public hospitals which complain of underfunding. Many patients increasingly opt for private health care if they can afford it.

Matthews said he would not let even his small pet dog to suffer the way he had.

"I'd shoot him rather than let him be treated the way I have," he said.

AFP

[yankeedame]

The story drew the attention of Health Minister Annette King, who has asked health officials to brief her on the case....

Why do I keep seeing this Annette King as a kiwi version of Hillary Clinton?

[thucydides]

I was recently watching the Prime Minister questions session broadcast from the British Parliament by C-Span. Tony Blair was boasting of tremendous improvements in the National Health Service, including plans that by 2005, no patient would have to wait more than 6 months to be seen by a doctor. This is what the democrats want to bring to America.

[Jordi]

Ah,yes,socialized medicine

Correction . New Zealand is a capitalistic hell hole

[jjm2111]

No kidding. I cannot believe how people are pushing for this.

[cynicom]

The health care is free. They never said "when" he would get it. Fine print there somewhere.

[ladyinred]

This is exactly what Hillary wants to bring to us for health care. We already have a mini version of it with the HMO's!

[joesnuffy]

Socialized medicine nightmare...mini version Veterans Health Care

[Post Toasties]

Hi -

Could you provide the link to the specific article? The given link is to the front page of the SMH and I have not been able to find this item so far.

TIA -

[TMD]

Quote of the day, "If you think healthcare is expensive now, just wait until it's free"- P.J. O'Rourke

[Saundra Duffy]

Hello, Hillary, you can kiss my behind.

[denydenydeny]

Bookmark.

[caveat emptor]

A search of SMH for today and past week turned up nothing. Please provide exact link. Thanks.

Caveat Emptor

[Dawgsquat]

Good thing it wasn't syphillis.

[kitkat]

Just a note to beware Hillary's health care plans:

Many years ago my mother visited her native England, and told us the national health care plan was getting rave reviews from her relatives there. Their own family doctor paid house calls to their elderly aunt, and even had time to have tea with the family. When the aunt's daughter was hospitalized, national health care placed the aunt in the hospital to give her care while her daughter was ill. Everything was WONDERFUL.

BEWARE: It starts out well and runs out of money. Don't believe Hillary when she says HER plan will be different. It will only become an expensive government MESS.

[lavaroise]

Should he be jailed for practicing without a license? Or say without insurance? Or say without the FDA's approval? LOLOLOL! Why don't they call the DEA on him! LOLOLOL!!! (I know, it's not funny, sorry)

[aculeus]

I posted this story from a NZ source last night. Here's the LINK

[aculeus]

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Moderator, this photo is from NZStuff. com. Please delete if you consider it inappropriate.