Nelson Weekly
Our Workshop is Handcrafting taking Christmas your perfect orders now. Christmas gift now
Locally Owned and Operated
Selwyn Place or www.jenshansen.com
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Page 29
Art work bought for Nelson
Page 14
Rugby 7s
Page 18-22
Dental Council ‘put public at risk’ The dental licence of Dr Nicholas Smith should have been stripped years earlier, according to a prominent member of the Nelson dental profession, who says members of the public were put at risk. Dr Nicholas Smith closed his Stoke clinic this month after years of complaints and a conviction for fraud. His business went into liquidation owing $164,948 to patients who had pre-paid for dental work, staff, the IRD and other unsecured creditors. But one member of the dental profession,
who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says the Dental Council should have stepped in years earlier, and blames it for putting the public at risk. “They really haven’t done the public any favours. They haven’t done the profession any favours or Nic any favours, really. Given the long list of issues over the years, they’ve got an obligation under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act to protect the public, and there’s a general feeling amongst the dental community that they haven’t fulfilled their obligation.”
Andrew Board Editor
andrew@nelsonweekly.co.nz The Dental Council did not renew Dr Smith’s practicing licence and he handed in his registration at the start of this month. Other Nelson dentists are now working to make sure Dr Smith’s patients are cared for, but none would speak on the record to Nelson Weekly after an email circulated asking for them not to speak to media. But
the source says dentists are helping. “The key message is that the wider dental community are coming together and really want to support the patients.” Chief executive of the Dental Council, Marie Warner, was unavailable for comment. Liquidator, Geoff Falloon, says another dental practise has bought the former Stoke Dental Clinic. His liquidator report shows 38 patients are owed money, including one for $3100. It also shows the shareholders bank account is overdrawn by $550,349.
Boot camp raises $15,000 for trust
Jessie Johnston
Nelson College for Girls’ gymnasium was a sea of pink during last Sunday’s Boot Camp for Breast Cancer. Over 100 pink-laden men and women turned out to dance, jump, run and three-legged walk around the girls college gym in a bid to raise money for breast cancer. Several groups joined in the activities, including team Peek a Boobies, who say their motivation for supporting the day was down to their personal connection with breast cancer. “We have friends amongst us who have had breast cancer, plus we’ve done it before and it was fun, and it’s for a good cause so we decided to do it again. This time we’ve actually added a few extra people who haven’t done it before,” says Peek A Boobies leader, Carol Parkinson. “It’s really fun, the fact you’re doing something fun for a good cause, what more could you ask for, and plus there’s bubbles.”
SEE PAGE 2
Access Mobility takes pride in providing quality service and a wide variety of helpful products, to ensure you maintain your independence.
The Peek A Boobies team at Boot Camp for Breast Cancer are from left; Cath Anderson, Dana Slierendrecht, Jo Turner, Janet Growcott, Helene Boulton, Tia Raumati, David Havili, Kim Parkinson, Moira Raumati, Carol Hargadon, Michaela Matenga, Carmel Kremmer, Lee Wharehinga, Caroline Young-Husband and Carol Parkinson. Photo: Jessie Johnston.
Largest range of rental/hire equipment in the Top of the South - Sales - Service - Repairs - Rentals
Home Healthcare Equipment and Mobility Products Visit our showroom at: Cnr McGlashen Ave & Croucher St, Richmond, Nelson Additional copies $1
100% locally owned and operated
Ph: 03 544 7717 www.accessmobility.co.nz
www.nelsonweekly.co.nz