A public campaign to fund a world-class neurosurgery research and teaching centre in Dunedin is under way.
Raising $3 million will complete the task started in 2010 when the South rallied to retain neurosurgery.
The campaign was launched in Dunedin last night. Funds raised will be used for the Neurological Foundation Chair in Neurosurgery, and New Zealand's first academic neurosurgery unit, at the University of Otago. The professor's time will be divided between the university and working as a Dunedin Hospital neurosurgeon.
The Otago Daily Times, the Southland Times and ANZ/National Bank are supporting the Neurological Foundation and the university to raise the money.
The fund has been kick-started with $100,000 from the university, $100,000 from the foundation, $300,000 from the Basic Science Medical Trust, and $12,360 from private donors - a total of $512,360 revealed last night.
Campaign project manager Irene Mosley said the launch at the university was attended by nearly 70 people, including community leaders, early donors, academics and members of the medical fraternity.
The campaign had momentum, with early donations and plans for community events, she said.
The 2010 South Island Neurosurgery Expert Panel decided Dunedin would retain neurosurgery, supported by the academic unit at the university.
The panel specified Dunedin would have three neurosurgeons - two with academic duties.
British neurosurgeon Reuben Johnson assumes a post later this year as a senior lecturer with clinical duties. The solely clinical neurosurgeon, Ahmad Taha, was formally appointed last year, having served previously as a locum.
The Christchurch hub of the South Island service - which works in conjunction with Dunedin - has four neurosurgeons, with a fifth being recruited.
Campaign committee chairman Dr Brian McMahon said people demanded a first-class neurosurgery service in the South when they marched, lobbied politicians, and attended public meetings.
More than 31,000 people signed an ODT form letter to Health Minister Tony Ryall, and more than 55,700 signed a petition.
Up to 10,000 people marched from the Octagon to Dunedin Hospital to protest a proposal to base the service solely in Christchurch.
If people had not supported that campaign, all the South Island's neurosurgeons would be based in Christchurch, Dr McMahon believed.
The public's help was again needed to establish the academic unit, which in turn shored up clinical neurosurgery in the South.
"We have mounted our protest, we have asked and petitioned and we want to retain [neurosurgery], and we've done that pretty vociferously.
"We ought to then realise while the one site in Christchurch would have worked, it would have seriously disadvantaged us in the South.
"We need to understand that if we wish to travel first-class, then we need to pay the extra fee for the first-class, as opposed to economy."
The campaign was off to a great start, with the more than $500,000 raised, and a well-organised strategy.
It was important to raise $3 million to assure the unit's future. The public would not be asked for further funds, he said.
University of Otago health sciences pro-vice-chancellor Prof Peter Crampton told the ODT the academic neurosurgery unit would be "hugely significant".
"We're setting up something that is very important for New Zealand."
The unit would complement the university's strength in neuroscience.
In time, neurosurgeons should be able to train in Dunedin at the unit, which would also attract neurosurgery researchers.
The unit would also nurture sub-specialisation - particular expertise in specific neurosurgical procedures or treatments.
Recruitment was progressing well for the attractive post of inaugural professor.
Candidates had been long-listed, and references were being checked.
Neurological Foundation chief executive Max Ritchie said every dollar raised by the campaign would go towards the fund for the Chair in Neurosurgery.
The overheads of the campaign would be funded by the foundation and its partners.
"This is an exciting step forward in the long-term campaign to ensure the South Island has a world-class service, with another highly trained neurosurgeon on the ground at Dunedin Hospital." In her speech at last night's launch, University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne said that despite the huge health burden brain disorders caused, there was insufficient funding for researching them.
The funding did not reflect the economic, social and emotional impact of the disorders, she said.
The campaign showed the university's willingness to take matters in its own hands by helping raise the funds, she said.
Southern District Health Board chairman Joe Butterfield, who was unable to attend the launch, said the professor and the team of neurosurgeons would help nurture a new generation of potential neurosurgeons.
"It will also ensure the continued development and growth of neurosurgery services at the Dunedin hub of the South Island service.
"This is an exciting solution, which is cost effective for everyone involved and leads to further development of these services for the people of the South Island."
South Island neurosurgical service clinical director Martin MacFarlane, in an interview with the ODT, also emphasised the benefit to the wider South Island service.
By employing two academics and a sole neurosurgeon, the Dunedin hub was a sustainable part of the wider South Island service. Without the academic component, the South would have insufficient population for three neurosurgeons.
The unit had an exciting future, Mr MacFarlane said.
How you can donate
The Neurological Foundation aims to raise $3 million to fund the Neurological Foundation Chair of Neurosurgery to provide enhanced research opportunities, increased profile and to attract crucial talent to the Otago and Southland region.
The public can donate by:
• Visiting any branch of ANZ or National Bank nationally. The account name is Neurosurgery Campaign and the number is 06-0287-0133301-05. Any donation more than $5 is eligible for a charitable tax rebate.
• Going online. Donations can be made at www.chairofneurosurgery.org.nz
• Picking up a copy of the Otago Daily Times. A donation envelope will be included in the February 1 edition.
