Appointing a locum neurosurgeon to support Dunedin Hospital's sole neurosurgeon, Ahmad Taha, has been delayed.
The Southern District Health Board announced last month one locum was due to start at the end of July on a six-month contract, and that it hoped to employ a second locum soon.
Mr Taha has been working without any cover for some time, meaning Christchurch surgeons have had to provide weekend and after-hours cover remotely.
''The locum identified for a July start has been delayed as the Medical Council's requirements are worked through,'' SDHB specialist services executive director Patrick Ng said.
''In the meantime, a process is in place to ensure that the service is covered by Christchurch when call cover cannot be provided in Dunedin.''
