South Island Neurosurgery Waitlist Drops Sharply as Govt Targets Faster Care

Health Minister Simeon Brown says this progress reflects the Government’s clear focus on reducing surgical wait times and investing in specialist care.

Patients across the South Island are seeing real improvements in access to life-changing neurosurgery, with the number of people waiting for treatment significantly declining over the past 16 months. Health Minister Simeon Brown says this progress reflects the Government’s clear focus on reducing surgical wait times and investing in specialist care.

The latest data shows that between November 2023 and March 2025, the number of people on the South Island neurosurgery waitlist fell by 22 percent, from 98 to 76 patients. Even more notable, the number of people waiting longer than four months for treatment has dropped by 45 percent, from 31 to 17 patients.

---

A Shift After Years of Growing Pressure

This progress comes after what Minister Brown described as a “difficult period” in South Island health services. From 2020 to 2023, the neurosurgery waitlist ballooned by 92 percent, placing increased pressure on surgical teams, hospitals, and most critically—patients.

“Neurosurgery is vital for treating serious brain and spinal conditions that can dramatically affect lives if left too long,” said Minister Brown. “Putting patients first means making sure every Kiwi can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it.”

Now, with coordinated efforts between hospitals, district health providers, and the Ministry of Health, those concerning trends are being reversed.

---

Real Lives Impacted by Faster Neurosurgical Access

The impact of faster neurosurgical access goes beyond the numbers. Minister Brown emphasized the human stories behind the statistics.

“Whether it is a parent needing urgent brain surgery to be there for their children, or a worker recovering from spinal treatment and returning to their community, this is about delivering for patients,” he said.

Reducing the backlog not only eases individual suffering but restores productivity and well-being across families and communities. It also helps hospitals avoid complications and additional costs that often arise from extended delays in treatment.

---

A Government Strategy Rooted in Investment and Coordination

According to the Ministry of Health, the improved outcomes are the result of several key actions:

• Investment in surgical teams to increase capacity and reduce bottlenecks.

• Improved coordination across South Island hospitals to manage patient flows more effectively.

• Focused prioritisation of patients who have waited the longest.

“These results show our focus on reducing waitlists is delivering. We’re not only increasing the number of surgeries performed but also ensuring the most urgent cases are addressed faster,” Brown said.

---

Commitment to National Health Targets

While South Island neurosurgery numbers show progress, the Government sees this as just one part of a larger effort to improve elective care nationwide.

The Government has set a national health target: by 2030, 95 percent of patients will be treated within four months of being placed on a surgical waitlist. This target reflects growing public pressure to address long-standing issues in the health system exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce shortages, and outdated hospital infrastructure.

Minister Brown acknowledged that challenges remain.

“Patients are still waiting too long, and there is still more work to do,” he said. “But this latest data shows we are heading in the right direction.”

---

The Role of Healthcare Workers in Achieving Results

Brown paid tribute to the healthcare professionals whose daily work underpins the system’s recovery.

“This progress also reflects the hard work and dedication of our frontline health professionals, whose commitment to patient care is critical to achieving these results.”

From neurosurgeons to nurses, administrative staff to recovery teams, the successful drop in waitlist numbers is a team effort across the health sector.

---

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Gains Across Specialties

With neurosurgery showing encouraging signs of turnaround, the Government plans to apply similar strategies to other high-demand specialties, such as orthopaedics, oncology, and cardiology.

Public health analysts note that replicating this success will require ongoing funding, better data systems, and support for regional hospitals. Workforce retention and recruitment, especially in specialist roles, remains a top concern.

Still, the South Island’s neurosurgical progress offers a promising signal that change is possible when strategic investment meets operational discipline.