Council backs retention of services

Friday, 27 August 2010

Southland District Council on Wednesday affirmed its unanimous support for the retention of neurosurgery services at Dunedin Hospital.

Mayor Frana Cardno said Council was very concerned that Southland might lose this service, which has been running well and saving lives for many years.

"Not only is it essential that people in Southland and Otago can access neurosurgery services in a short time, but it is also very important families are able to be with the patient."

She also reiterated that because of remote terrain and the activities that happen in Southland, rescue helicopters may have already spent some time to rescue the injured person so having to travel further that Dunedin could be the difference between life and death.

Council believes there are many good reasons for keeping neurosurgery at Dunedin Hospital, including ensuring other services are not lost as well, and only bad reasons to have it shifted to Christchurch.

"The depth of feeling in the south is huge. It tells you something when all eight Mayors of Southland and Otago are in complete agreement to fight to keep neurosurgery services at a special meeting of the panel and the eight Mayors in Dunedin next week.

Council also encourages the public to make sure they are heard at the public meeting with the panel at Stadium Southland at 2pm on September 2.

Who to contact

If you would like to discuss a matter on this page, feel free to contact us:

Southland District Council
P.O. Box 903
Invercargill 9840
Phone: 0800 732 732
Fax: 0800 732 329
emailsdc@southlanddc.govt.nz