Neurosurgery applications to be shortlisted

Applications have been received for both recently advertised Dunedin-based neurosurgeon positions, but nobody is saying how many.

South Island Neurosurgery Service implementation manager Joy Farley said she was "pleased with the response" after applications closed this month, but was not prepared to elaborate further.

One of the positions is for a consultant specialist neurosurgeon, based at Dunedin Hospital, and the other for a senior lecturer in neurosurgery who will also have clinical duties.

University of Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine dean, Dr John Adams said he also did not want to say how many applicants there were, or where they might be from.

The appointments committee would be convened to shortlist those candidates the university wanted to interview, he said. Arrangements would then be made for those shortlisted to visit the city for a formal interview.

They would also have the opportunity to meet hospital and university staff.

Ms Farley said that the usual recruitment practices would be followed by the Southern District Health Board and by the University of Otago.

There will be input from the clinical director of the service, Canterbury neurosurgery head Martin MacFarlane.

Final approval will rest with the service's three-person clinical appointments subcommittee, to be chaired by board chairman, Melbourne neurosurgeon Prof Andrew Kaye.