United we stand, with message for Parliament

Murray Kirkness (front left) and Fred Tulett (front right) present neurosurgery petition forms to...
Murray Kirkness (front left) and Fred Tulett (front right) present neurosurgery petition forms to MPs Michael Woodhouse (centre left) and Eric Roy. In the background are (from left) Clare Curran, Bill English, Stuart Collie, Neil Boniface, Metiria...

If politicians harboured any confusion over the South's views on neurosurgery services, by lunchtime yesterday such doubts should have been dispelled.

Otago Daily Times editor Murray Kirkness and Southland Times editor Fred Tulett joined southern local-body representatives on the steps of Parliament to hand over to MPs from south of the Waitaki 44,000 signatures seeking retention of the service in Dunedin.

During Question Time in the House yesterday afternoon, Health Minister Mr Ryall appeared sympathetic to the petitioners.

"I have to say that, like the people of Otago-Southland, I have to be convinced that they do not deserve good-quality neurosurgical services," he said in response to a question from Labour's health spokeswoman, Ruth Dyson.

Mr Ryall's response raises speculation he could overturn the expert panel considering the matter should its decision go against the South.

Deputy prime minister and Clutha Southland MP Bill English, present at the petition handover, told NZPA hospitals in Dunedin and Christchurch could work together to provide the services.

The issue had been around for years and there needed to be a lasting solution.

He could not see why there could not be access to high-quality stable neurosurgery services in Dunedin, "but they may have to organise it differently to achieve that".

Dunedin-based MP Michael Woodhouse congratulated the newspapers for their advocacy on the issue.

"Obviously, what we all want is the best care for our patients and, on the information that we've seen so far, we believe that can be achieved by continuing the service at Dunedin Hospital," Mr Woodhouse said.

The expert panel had a job to do but they would be under no illusion about the strength of feeling of the people of Otago and Southland, he said.

Mr Kirkness said the fact so many representatives from the South had attended the handover, along with the MPs who had sought time out of their select committee responsibilities to be there, made a powerful statement about the importance of the issue.

The representation across the two provinces showed the matter was "not just a parochial Dunedin issue, but a southern issue".

"I was pretty chuffed that there was such a big gathering. Hopefully, we can all take some comfort in knowing that the voices of the people in the South will be heard in Parliament," Mr Kirkness said.

Mr Roy told the ODT the cross-party turnout showed there was nothing to be gained in "making politics out of this".

All MPs had an interest in ensuring the best service was delivered to the area, he said.

It might be September 7 before the petition was tabled in Parliament, Mr Roy said.

The House of Representatives is sitting under urgency this week and next week will be in recess.

Mr Kirkness said it was important people filled the Dunedin Town Hall next Monday evening at 5.30 for the public meeting attended by the expert panel.

At the meeting, which he will chair, panel chairwoman Anne Kolbe will discuss the panel's work and the Facebook site team will give an overview of community feedback before the meeting is opened to the floor. - Additional reporting NZPA and The Southland Times

 

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