South Island Neurosurgery Service post implementation review released by South Island Alliance

A post-implementation review was recently commissioned by the South Island Alliance to explore how effectively the recommendations made in the 2010 Report of the South Island Neurosurgery Expert Panel have been implemented and to identify further opportunities to improve the service.

The final report and recommendations were presented to the South Island Neurosurgery Service (SINS) Board and South Island Alliance Leadership Team in June this year, where they were discussed in depth. The neurosurgery team and surgical directorate leadership have also received and discussed the review.

The South Island Alliance has now publicly released this review.

Southern DHB Chief executive Chris Fleming comments that while the 2010 report proposed a pathway forward for neurosurgery services, it has proved challenging to implement in practice, significantly due to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining suitably qualified specialists in Dunedin.

“Despite these challenges, we remain committed to a South Island-wide service that includes a Dunedin presence for a neurosurgical specialty services.

“We therefore welcome this post implementation review, which helps articulate some of these difficulties we have experienced, and makes recommendations for next steps.

“We look forward to working with our colleagues in the South Island Neurosurgical Service to take further steps to build a strong service that recognises the practical constraints we are facing. We also remain committed to our partnership with University of Otago, and continuing to exploring the opportunities that come from the joint clinical and academic positions as part of a sustainable service.”

Currently within the Dunedin-based service, there is one full-time neurosurgeon, and recruitment efforts are continuing for permanent and/or locum staff.

The Dunedin-based team are supported by Canterbury neurosurgeons, who provide on-call acute care during periods where we are unable to cover rosters locally.

Canterbury neurosurgeons also provide specialist care in specific areas of expertise.

The South Island neurosurgeons have worked together to establish to ensure appropriate stabilisation and transfer of patients as needed.

“We thank all staff and colleagues who participated in the review, and who play a role in supporting sustainable neurosurgery services in our district,” Mr Fleming says.