A public campaign to fund a world-class neurosurgery research
and teaching centre in Dunedin is under way.
Raising $3 million will complete the task started in 2010
when the South rallied to retain neurosurgery.
The campaign was launched in Dunedin last night. Funds raised
will be used for the Neurological Foundation Chair in
Neurosurgery, and New Zealand's first academic neurosurgery
unit, at the University of Otago. The professor's time will
be divided between the university and working as a Dunedin
Hospital neurosurgeon.
The Otago Daily Times, the Southland Times and
ANZ/National Bank are supporting the Neurological Foundation
and the university to raise the money.
The fund has been kick-started with $100,000 from the
university, $100,000 from the foundation, $300,000 from the
Basic Science Medical Trust, and $12,360 from private donors
- a total of $512,360 revealed last night.
Campaign project manager Irene Mosley said the launch at the
university was attended by nearly 70 people, including
community leaders, early donors, academics and members of the
medical fraternity.
The campaign had momentum, with early donations and plans for
community events, she said.
The 2010 South Island Neurosurgery Expert Panel decided
Dunedin would retain neurosurgery, supported by the academic
unit at the university.
The panel specified Dunedin would have three neurosurgeons -
two with academic duties.
British neurosurgeon Reuben Johnson assumes a post later this
year as a senior lecturer with clinical duties. The solely
clinical neurosurgeon, Ahmad Taha, was formally appointed
last year, having served previously as a locum.
The Christchurch hub of the South Island service - which
works in conjunction with Dunedin - has four neurosurgeons,
with a fifth being recruited.
Campaign committee chairman Dr Brian McMahon said people
demanded a first-class neurosurgery service in the South when
they marched, lobbied politicians, and attended public
meetings.
More than 31,000 people signed an ODT form letter to
Health Minister Tony Ryall, and more than 55,700 signed a
petition.
Up to 10,000 people marched from the Octagon to Dunedin
Hospital to protest a proposal to base the service solely in
Christchurch.
If people had not supported that campaign, all the South
Island's neurosurgeons would be based in Christchurch, Dr
McMahon believed.
The public's help was again needed to establish the academic
unit, which in turn shored up clinical neurosurgery in the
South.
"We have mounted our protest, we have asked and petitioned
and we want to retain [neurosurgery], and we've done that
pretty vociferously.
"We ought to then realise while the one site in Christchurch
would have worked, it would have seriously disadvantaged us
in the South.
"We need to understand that if we wish to travel first-class,
then we need to pay the extra fee for the first-class, as
opposed to economy."
The campaign was off to a great start, with the more than
$500,000 raised, and a well-organised strategy.
It was important to raise $3 million to assure the unit's
future. The public would not be asked for further funds, he
said.
University of Otago health sciences pro-vice-chancellor Prof
Peter Crampton told the ODT the academic neurosurgery
unit would be "hugely significant".
"We're setting up something that is very important for New
Zealand."
The unit would complement the university's strength in
neuroscience.
In time, neurosurgeons should be able to train in Dunedin at
the unit, which would also attract neurosurgery researchers.
The unit would also nurture sub-specialisation - particular
expertise in specific neurosurgical procedures or treatments.
Recruitment was progressing well for the attractive post of
inaugural professor.
Candidates had been long-listed, and references were being
checked.
Neurological Foundation chief executive Max Ritchie said
every dollar raised by the campaign would go towards the fund
for the Chair in Neurosurgery.
The overheads of the campaign would be funded by the
foundation and its partners.
"This is an exciting step forward in the long-term campaign
to ensure the South Island has a world-class service, with
another highly trained neurosurgeon on the ground at Dunedin
Hospital." In her speech at last night's launch, University
of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne said that despite
the huge health burden brain disorders caused, there was
insufficient funding for researching them.
The funding did not reflect the economic, social and
emotional impact of the disorders, she said.
The campaign showed the university's willingness to take
matters in its own hands by helping raise the funds, she
said.
Southern District Health Board chairman Joe Butterfield, who
was unable to attend the launch, said the professor and the
team of neurosurgeons would help nurture a new generation of
potential neurosurgeons.
"It will also ensure the continued development and growth of
neurosurgery services at the Dunedin hub of the South Island
service.
"This is an exciting solution, which is cost effective for
everyone involved and leads to further development of these
services for the people of the South Island."
South Island neurosurgical service clinical director Martin
MacFarlane, in an interview with the ODT, also
emphasised the benefit to the wider South Island service.
By employing two academics and a sole neurosurgeon, the
Dunedin hub was a sustainable part of the wider South Island
service. Without the academic component, the South would have
insufficient population for three neurosurgeons.
The unit had an exciting future, Mr MacFarlane said.
How you can donate
The Neurological Foundation aims to raise $3 million to
fund the Neurological Foundation Chair of Neurosurgery to
provide enhanced research opportunities, increased profile
and to attract crucial talent to the Otago and Southland
region.
The public can donate by:
• Visiting any branch of ANZ or National Bank nationally. The
account name is Neurosurgery Campaign and the number is
06-0287-0133301-05. Any donation more than $5 is eligible for
a charitable tax rebate.
• Going online. Donations can be made at www.chairofneurosurgery.org.nz
• Picking up a copy of the Otago Daily Times. A
donation envelope will be included in the February 1 edition.
eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz
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