National MP Michael Woodhouse has noted a significant increase in the volume of correspondence to his office in support of the retention of neurosurgeons at Dunedin Hospital.
When last asked for comment on this Mr Woodhouse had reported that just ten or so constituents had contacted him expressing their support but subsequent to that the correspondence now numbers in the hundreds.
“Not a single one of these submissions expresses any support for the consolidation of all neurosurgeons in Christchurch,” said Mr Woodhouse.
“All letters have been well considered and parochialism aside, the retention of neurosurgeons at Dunedin Hospital is supported by well reasoned arguments,” he said.
Much of the correspondence has been copies of letters sent directly to the Minister of Health Tony Ryall or the Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan. All of the correspondence has been forwarded to the Director-General’s office so that it may be considered by the Expert Panel Mr McKernan has convened to consider the issue.
Southern MPs Jacqui Dean, Eric Roy and Mr Woodhouse have also met with Tony Ryall updating him on the strength of support for the retention of the service and restating their strong support for that to occur.
“The Minister was very receptive to the arguments for retention of the service at Dunedin Hospital,” said Mr Woodhouse.
“While we all agreed that a regional service was appropriate, the main question to be answered was whether the “4+2” model was the best one.
“We left him in no doubt that that was our preference,” he said.
Notwithstanding the increase in correspondence, Mr Woodhouse encouraged members of the community to continue to make their views known to the Expert Panel, and was happy for people to write directly to him.
“This is definitely a case where the volume of correspondence will be important in reflecting the community’s views on this and I encourage people from Otago and Southland to continue to make those views known,” said Mr Woodhouse. |