NSW: Surgeons at Sydney hospital cancel patients
Surgeons at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred hospital have cancelled all operations onnon-urgent private patients in the wake of medical insurer UMP's impending shutdown.
Professor CHRIS O'BRIEN, the chief of head and neck surgery at RPA, says the decision'sbeen made because surgeons are concerned they may no longer be covered against medicalnegligence claims.
Professor O'BRIEN says people who've come in as private patients but have urgent problemsare being reclassified as public patients, and the non-urgent private patients are beingcancelled.
He says up to 30 patients have had their surgery cancelled, including a 30-year-oldwoman with a non-malignant brain tumour.
Professor O'BRIEN says despite an assurance that they're still indemnified, surgeonsdon't feel comfortable with the situation.
He says patients are distressed and bewildered to find they're being cancelled.
He says the decision to cancel surgery on private patients will stand indefinitely.
AAP RTV jjs/arb/rp
KEYWORD: INDEMNITY RPA (SYDNEY)
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