Is the switch from Diagnostic Medlab to Labtests Auckland working out?

Updated: 1:40PM Thursday November 19, 2009

An investigation has found that health providers, including Labtests, "missed opportunities for intervention" in the days before the death of a 68-year-old diabetic.

Maureen Pineki died in Auckland City Hospital's intensive-care unit on September 12.

The main cause was a critically low level of glucose in her blood - hypoglycaemia - caused by her using too much insulin.

Following a request under the Official Death brings call for change to the Information Act, the Herald has obtained a copy of the Auckland District Health Board's report.

Is the switch from Diagnostic Medlab to Labtests Auckland working out? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

Geriatric hippy (Christchurch)
Thursday November 19, 2009 It would make a really interesting research topic for a graduate student in health policy to probe the relationship between general practitioners' antipathy to Labtests and any reimbursement (let's not use that ugly word "kickback") that they might have received in the past from DML for collecting specimens.

A case-control study should fit the bill.

SR (Mt Eden)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Peter Rennie (Victoria) Would you like to have the standard of care being offered to the Auckland Community in Victoria? I'm sure you'd be hitting that test dictionary quick smart and I hope you have a more effectual Health Minister and your equivalent to DHB over there because believe me from reading your previos blogs you would be bleating louder than anyone!

Peter Rennie (Victoria)
Thursday November 19, 2009 I wonder how many of The Herald's readers have read this fascinating blog?

http:/whaleoil.gotcha.co.nz/2009/11/14/dirty-deeds-done-dirt-cheap-by-a-dirty-doctor-for-dml/

Peter Rennie (Victoria)
Thursday November 19, 2009 I believe it is a matter of public record that Labtests did not provide enough money in their tender to run the Greedy GP Gravy Train - which RT assures us never stopped at Three Kings.

"Yes, DML has, of course, made occasional errors; who has not?" So Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

SR (Mt Eden)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Any takers for the Health and Disability Commissioner's position? A very busy position of late particularly since July 2009. You will have to be skilled in sifting through the DHB spin and be an expert at lifting carpets. Previous experience in cow pat inspection a must.

A responsibile position which will need to take care of Aucklander's Health. No support from totally ineffectual Health Minister who couldn't give a toss or his government who have been noticeable by their absence of late.

Unfortunately for you, you may find yourself at the end of the line when it comes to passing the buck with no where to go. Generous package comes with elephant hide and prozac.

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