Decision on neurosurgery great news

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno is thrilled by the news neurosurgery services will remain and be expanded at Dunedin Hospital.

A report on neurosurgery has been released today and says the service will stay in Dunedin, rather than being centralised to Christchurch. It also states that a board will be set up to govern the entire South Island service, and the board will be chaired by Professor Andrew Kaye, the head of department of surgery at the University of Melbourne and Director of Neurosurgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. At least three neurosurgeons will eventually be based in Dunedin.

Mrs Cardno said she and the Council were extremely pleased to see that the people of Otago and Southland have been listened to.

"Southland and Otago people united in the fight to save the neurosurgery unit in Dunedin and this result shows the power of people coming together. It is fantastic news."

The importance of the Otago School of Medicine's neurosurgery research unit has also been recognised and there is the potential for the unit to become a foremost centre for neurosurgery.

However, she also issued a warning as she believes the people of Southland and Otago will have to continue working together like this to save other possible services that could be lost.

"We must show our allegiance together otherwise our voice will be lost," she said.