Expert Supports Surgery Delay (Press, 6 September 1989)
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Summary: Expert Supports Surgery Delay (Press, 6 September 1989)
On 6 September 1989, a prominent AIDS expert, Professor Tony Basten, endorsed a Sydney surgeon's decision to postpone surgery on a homosexual man until he underwent testing for the AIDS virus. The case involves Simon Ferguson, a 29-year-old man who has filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Tribunal, claiming he was discriminated against by Dr Richard West and the Central Sydney Area Health Service. The incident dates back to August 1985, when Mr Ferguson was denied elective surgery at Rachel Forster Hospital. Dr West explained in the tribunal that he chose to delay the procedure to remove a benign lump from Mr Ferguson's chest for both medical and safety concerns. Professor Basten supported Dr West's position, noting that Mr Ferguson belonged to a high-risk group, and emphasised that clarifying the patient's HIV status would be in the best interests of all parties involved. The tribunal hearing on the matter is ongoing, with the discussion highlighting the complexities surrounding health care, discrimination, and AIDS-related concerns in the medical community.
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