The short-staffed Otago District Health Board could face "some challenges" trying to spend an extra $1.8 million for elective surgery in the coming year, chief executive Brian Rousseau said this week.
He said he had not had time to peruse the detail of the boost from the Government, part of a $160 million package announced by Health Minister David Cunliffe on Sunday.
While the use of the money would require some careful planning - "we never turn down money".
The board had difficulty meeting some of its existing surgery targets, due to staff shortages and the limited availability of operating theatres.
Dunedin Hospital services have been under pressure for some time because of the staffing situation and a high level of acute admissions.
Mr Rousseau said one possibility might be that the board could look at purchasing some services privately.
This could include using general practitioners to deliver some elective surgery.
It was too early to say what types of extra elective surgery might be available under the initiative as management had not had the chance to look at all the options.
Mr Rousseau, who is also interim chief executive for the Southland board, said both boards faced similar constraints, but Otago's restrictions were probably higher than Southland's.
Southland has been allocated $1.04 million in the package for the coming year.
Allocations were made according to population.
