He said he declined the offer for one hour's housework a week because it was inadequate and did not include washing clothes and dishes. It's wrong what they're doing to the elderly.'' But, now all they're offering me is one hour a week,'' he fumes after the phone call. ''The head surgeon said I'd get three hours of home help a week, until I got back on my feet. Mr Rodger has been regularly visited by a district nurse since he left hospital and returned home - but complained about what he sees as a lack of domestic help. Mr Rodger sparked a huge response from ODT readers this week after saying he felt abandoned by the Southern District Health Board following his heart operation. Mr Martin squirms, like a decent man caught in an impossible situation. ''Either give me proper home help, or don't come near the place,'' Mr Rodger says. The feisty bachelor is having none of it. It is Healthcare New Zealand Dunedin manager Graeme Martin, calling to reoffer the 86-year-old an hour of housework a week, after his recent heart surgery. Ten minutes after the Otago Daily Times visits Cliff Rodger, the phone rings. But are the surgeons' scalpels being blunted by a lack of help at home afterwards, or are community expectations too high? Nigel Benson and Eileen Goodwin report. Lives are saved every day at Dunedin Hospital.
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