Queenstown's fledgling health watchdog says it looks forward to the outcome of a clinicians' forum on the controversial issue of where a diagnostic scanner should go to serve both Central and Lakes districts.
The Wakatipu Health Reference Panel held its latest closed meeting involving Southland District Health Board finance and funding general manager Robert Mackway-Jones yesterday.
Panel chairwoman and Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Vanessa van Uden said in a statement afterwards the "CT scanner has been an important issue that is ongoing, but there are a large number of other areas where the panel is pleased to see genuine progress."
Cases had been made to locate the scanner in either the Lakes District Hospital, Frankton, or Dunstan Hospital, Clyde.
The DHB will consider a recommendation on the location of a CT scanner in June after input from the Wakatipu panel and Central Otago Health Services Ltd, which operates Dunstan Hospital, as well as from wider consultation with primary and secondary clinicians.
Ms van Uden said Wakatipu panellists accepted an invitation to visit Dunstan Hospital last week.
"I think there is a sense from all parties that the process is appropriate and we look forward to receiving the outcomes from the clinician forum scheduled to take place at Queenstown on February 24," she said.
Ms van Uden said members were pleased with progress towards the delivery of improved health services for the Wakatipu.
The DHB hoped to be in a position to announce further details about enhanced health services, including new clinics in gastroenterology, orthopaedics, respiratory and diabetes "in the next few weeks", Mr Mackway-Jones said.
"The SDHB has told us it remains committed to implementing the National Health Panel recommendations about health service provision in the Wakatipu. We look forward to continuing to work with the board to that end," Ms van Uden said.
