Retention of Dunedin neurology service essential to Southlanders
“There is no logic to the proposal that delivery of neurological services in the South Island should be centralised in Christchurch” said Democrats for Social Credit Party Leader Stephnie de Ruyter.
Ms de Ruyter, an Invercargill resident, noted that patients from the Southland region would be the most disadvantaged by a decision to proceed with the plan.
“Brain injuries require urgent attention and treatment. The 75 minute travel time between Invercargill and Dunedin creates a lengthy enough delay already. The additional distance to Christchurch can only increase the risk to patients, and would create an unacceptable delay. And when the weather is unfavourable, the delay could be much longer than anticipated” she said.
“In addition to the potential threat to patients, their families would not find it easy to be in Christchurch to support them. Many people find the time and expense of lengthy stays in Dunedin imposes an unreasonable burden which adversely affects work and family commitments. How on earth would they manage the additional cost and time involved in a trip to Christchurch?” Ms de Ruyter asked.
“Any move to withdraw essential specialist services from the Otago/Southland region sets a precedent for the future downgrading of health provision in the lower South Island. This is absolutely unacceptable and any such proposals must be met with fierce opposition.
“It is imperative that Southlanders vocally insist on their right to timely access to the best quality health care available, across all medical disciplines.
“The 3-person panel of “experts” charged with considering the withdrawal of this service from Dunedin Public Hospital needs to heed the weight of commonsense public opinion and retain the Dunedin service to ensure that no-one dies or is left permanently brain-damaged merely as a result of a bureaucratic whim” Ms de Ruyter concluded.
Published: August 2010