Amongst those affected was Catherine . The 67-year-old was shocked to discover she had bowel cancer two weeks ago. After a battery of tests and medical appointments, she was told she needed surgery this week to cut the tumour, and determine how advanced the cancer was. She organised time off work, childcare for her grandchildren and prepared herself mentally. Two days before the surgery, a second shock came. Her surgery was cancelled due to a lack of beds.
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Frizelle fears more cancer surgeries will be postponed, leading to worse outcomes for patients. “I was devastated, and I can t imagine how someone who has been waiting a long time for their surgery would feel.”
Confidential patient and staff information stolen in last week's ransomware cyber attack on the Waikato DHB appears to be genuine, the chief executive says.