A major decision regarding neurosurgical services in Southland and Otago will be announced tomorrow by the Acting Director-General of Health, Andrew Bridgman at a press conference in Wellington.

The decision will be announced by the Director-General, after previously, the five DHBs in South Island were unable to reach a consensus regarding the implementation and configuration of neurosurgical services. It needs to be noted that previously health agencies from both Southland and Otago had come in unison to try and stop the withdrawal of services from the two provinces.

However, it would only be known at 11:30a. m tomorrow, whether the two have been successful in keeping the neurosurgical services intact.

According to experts, they have advised a centralized neurological service in Christchurch, which would cater to all the people living in South Island. However, it needs to be noted, that a central neurosurgical service would mean that people living in Dunedin would have to travel all the way to Christchurch for being treated.

Apart from the long trips, a loss of Neurosurgical service in Dunedin would also mean that students at the School of Medicine in the University of Otago would also suffer, as a lack of expertise would result in vacuum and hamper the quality of education being provided to medical students.