Commissioner launches Wanganui inquiry

9 March 2007

Health and Disability Commissioner launches Wanganui inquiry

Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson has initiated an inquiry into the standard of care provided by Dr Roman Hasil at Wanganui Hospital.

The inquiry has been prompted by a complaint to the Commissioner's Office, information provided by Whanganui District Health Board, and community concern about failed tubal ligation procedures undertaken by Dr Hasil.

Mr Paterson will investigate the care provided by Dr Hasil as well as the steps taken by the DHB to ensure Dr Hasil was competent to practise and the measures put in place to supervise, monitor, and audit his work.

Mr Paterson said: 'The women concerned deserve to know what happened and that it won't happen again.'

Terms of reference
The terms of reference for the investigation are:

1. The adequacy and appropriateness of the services provided by Dr Roman Hasil to patients at Wanganui Hospital, including the services provided to:
a) Patient A, on whom Dr Hasil performed an unsuccessful laparoscopic sterilisation in September 2006.

2. The adequacy and appropriateness of the steps taken by Whanganui District Health Board to ensure that Dr Hasil was competent to practise, including the steps taken to credential, supervise and audit his practice, and the steps taken when concerns were raised about Dr Hasil's practice.

Background information
Under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994, the Commissioner may investigate any action that is or appears to be in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers Rights (the Code). The Commissioner may initiate an inquiry and has jurisdiction to investigate systemic issues.

No further comment
The Commissioner does not intend to make any further comment on the inquiry until it is completed.

ENDS

© Scoop Media