Posted by admin in Jacqui's Diary at 08:50

There are major problems with water management in Canterbury, and the National-led Government has made a number of changes to address these. Your views about these changes are important. Please take the time to download and read our water pamphlet (click here for that), complete the response form, and return it freepost to me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted by admin in News at 12:14

Posted by admin in Jacqui's Diary at 08:51

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says the petition signed by over 40,000 lower South Island people seeking to retain neurosurgery services in Dunedin and Christchurch would send a powerful message.

The petition, signed by 43,227 people, was yesterday (Wed 25) presented to lower South Island MP's including Mrs Dean at Parliament.

Making the presentation were Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin, Invercargill deputy mayor Neil Boniface, Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Cairns and Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes.

Also in attendance were the editors of the Otago Daily Times and the Invercargill based Southland Times.

Mrs Dean said she was very pleased to have received the petition.

"The petition reflects the struggle and the depth of feeling southerners have with this matter. The fact their local body representatives had taken the time to come to Wellington to present it was also indicative of the feelings associated with the issue," she said.

Mrs Dean said she stood right behind all who had signed the petition.

The issue over whether to run the South Island's neurosurgical unit from Christchurch or to retain Dunedin's present service remains the lower South Island's most pressing health issue. 

An expert panel, set up to resolve the issue, is expected to report their findings to the Director General of Health sometime in October.

Posted by admin in News at 13:51

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was delighted that 3500 newborn babies in Otago and Southland would benefit from a new hearing screening programme being undertaken in the region.

“The Government’s invested more $6.5 million each year into this programme and I’m delighted that families in the south will benefit from the service.

“All parents of newborns feel vulnerable and anything that can be done to reassure families, or indeed identify issues early on, is hugely beneficial.

“Hearing screeners are now on the job in Dunedin and Invercargill and I am hopeful someone will be found to conduct this work in Central Otago in the near future.

“We know that the earlier hearing loss is diagnosed and work with the child begins, the better the long-term outcomes for children and their families.

“In the past, many children were not diagnosed with hearing loss until around four years of age.”

Posted by admin in News at 07:33