It is the first level-headed commentary I have read on an issue that has received massive coverage in both the social and traditional media, the low-point of which was the BDN front page coverage of Dr Phoon’s bolt cutters from Bunnings. 

While the quest to acquire a “fit-for-purpose” surgical cutter may have been less than ideal, it sounds to me like the hospital did a risk assessment in line with NSW Health guidelines and decided it would be better to send the patient to a hospital where sterility and safety could be assured.

Imagine the outcry if the headline was “Man loses leg to post op infection caused by unsterile bolt cutters”!

If this is the best example of patient advocacy that BDN has been able to uncover in support of Dr Phoon, maybe there is another side to the contract story.

As a professional with some level of understanding around issues of this nature, I find myself unable to find any facts related to Dr Phoon’s contract, working conditions or clinical outcomes with which to make an informed decision. I understand the hospital is bound by confidentiality constraints but as Dr Phoon has pushed this discussion into the public domain I ask that he make this information available so that debate can be elevated above just being a public lynching of hospital management.

What a disgrace. As a kid I always  anticipated a visit by Ashtons Circus to towns along this coast.  Now we seem to have a permanent troupe of clowns located under the Big Top at East Bega. 

It is high time that they cleaned up their act, or move on and leave the surgeons to keep “the show on the road”.

I was operated on last May at short notice by Dr Phoon to repair ruptured quadricep tendons. A delay in surgery may have meant that the repair would not have been successful.

I am shocked that Bega would reduce the number of surgeons, especially one as skilled as Dr Phoon. Would you do whatever you can to help have this decision reversed? What can I do?

I travelled to Tathra for the first time recently to officiate a marriage ceremony on the beach.   My PA system appeared extremely hot when I collected it from my vehicle, after having new batteries installed by a Canberra battery specialist three hours earlier.  I plugged it in but the system immediately went beyond hot, and I immediately knew I had a major problem with my sound equipment.

I mentioned this to the receptionist at Tathra Beach House apartments - who suggested the Tathra Surf Life Saving Club had a PA system that I could possibly borrow in the event the problem with my own system could not be rectified.  

The Tathra community is in good hands when people such as Dennis and John step up and give a complete stranger a helping hand to ensure amplification would be assured for the beach wedding. Not only did Dennis and John set up and pre test the equipment, but they also set it up on the beach 45 minutes prior to the start of the wedding, only leaving when they knew everything was in perfect working order.

Gents, I cannot thank you enough for the generosity of your time and the kindness you showed.  Also to the lady at the Tathra Beach House who got the ball rolling to make this a possibility.  

The wedding went off without any hitches and the PA system worked brilliantly.  Thank you Tathra community, I will be back – next time for an extended stay and holiday.