Seddon man out of work 'struggling' as doctors discuss best hip treatment

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Reuben Tawhara is frustrated medics can't agree on a recovery that will make him fit for work.

A Marlborough man out of work for two years with a dodgy hip has been told by his orthopaedic consultant to talk through his frustrations with iwi - and come back in a year.

Seddon man Reuben Tawhara, 42, was told by an orthopaedic surgeon that he needed surgery after his hip gave way. But another doctor disagreed, instead recommending a 'conservative' treatment plan.

Tawhara is left unable to work and disgusted at how he's been treated by the health system.

'I'm struggling. Being on a WINZ benefit, it's hard,' Tawhara said, who lives on just $228.94 a week.

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'It's just chaos. You can't even live on it. I want to go back to work, that's what I kept saying to my doctor.'

Reuben Tawhara was working in road construction until his hip gave out one night in 2016.

In the most recent letter to Tawhara's GP, orthopaedic consultant Richard Peterson said he felt surgery was not in 'Reuben's best interest'.

'I have suggested to Reuben that he discuss things with WINZ to try and look at retraining options. We also offered support through the local iwi to see if this could help him, particularly in regards to his frustrations.'

Although Tawhara was at the 'younger end of the spectrum', this had not influenced their decision, the letter said.

Being directed to iwi was no help, Tawhara said.

'They wouldn't help me. I know that for sure. The frustrations are already there.

'I told him straight, that I just wanted to get my operation so I can get back to work. That will cut a lot of that frustration out.'

Tawhara said he had just got home from working on a construction site in May 2016. He was reaching for a bottle of milk when his hip gave out.

Two months later, orthopaedic surgeon Rick Wilson diagnosed Tawhara with femoral acetabular impingement; a condition where the ball shaped femoral head rubs abnormally.

He recommended a total replacement of the right hip.

In December, Tawhara received a letter which said he would be scheduled for surgery within the next four months.

But in March 2017, he saw orthopaedic surgeon Andy Meighan who decided surgery was not the best option.

In a later letter surgeon Kate Ball said another colleague had felt Tawhara was 'probably too young' for hip replacement.

She gave him local anesthetic and a cortisone injection.

Tawhara said he had 23 years left of his working life, and he was wasting it away at home.

'I need money before retirement … it puts me off that I can't go back to work. It disgusts me actually. And I'm actually disgusted with the hospital.

'It just throws me right in the deep end.'

Nelson Marlborough Health clinical services general manager Lexie O'Shea said patients should discuss any concerns with their doctor or hospital specialist directly.

'This is the only way we can look at concerns or complaints – directly with the person involved,' she said.

'We reassure the public that surgery is made available to people who will benefit from it and have reached the priority threshold for publicly funded care.

'In all cases, surgery has been deemed to be essential or beneficial to that person.

'If surgery is ruled out as a beneficial procedure, alternative treatment plans are made in consultation with a patient and the other healthcare professionals supporting them.'

No investigation into Tawhara's quality of care was ever deemed necessary, and no complaint was ever made.