Real progress is being made on resolving the issue of Wakatipu health services, Southern District Health Board chairman Joe Butterfield said yesterday.
At its meeting in Dunedin the board received progress updates on aspects of the implementation of the National Health Board expert panel's recommendations.
Mr Butterfield congratulated management on progress to date, and said the "heat" in the issue evident last year had greatly dissipated.
Progress included drafting terms of reference for the CT scanner decision, a recommendation on which will go before the June meeting; liaising with interest groups; establishing new clinics in gastroenterology, orthopaedics, and respiratory services at Lakes District Hospital.
Mr Butterfield said the decision over the location of the CT scanner, at either Dunstan Hospital or Lakes District Hospital, would not please every party, but that issue was always going to be "problematic".
The DHB will hold its April 5 meeting in Queenstown, at which time board members will liaise with interested parties.
