Southland and Otago residents face a longer wait to hear the fate of their neurosurgery unit.

Wellington, Aug 25 NZPA - MPs, local government leaders and media from Southland and Otago joined forces in Wellington today as the fight to retain neurosurgery services in Dunedin continues.

Wellington, Aug 25 NZPA - MPs, local government leaders and media from Southland and Otago joined forces in Wellington today as the fight to retain neurosurgery services in Dunedin continues.

Wellington, Aug 25 NZPA - Over 40,000 people have signed a petition seeking to retain neurosurgery services in Dunedin and Christchurch.

By Matthew Backhouse of NZPA

Wellington, Aug 18 NZPA - Health Minister Tony Ryall today deflected questions over whether he would intervene in the future of neurosurgical services in the South Island.

Last week over 10,000 marchers descended on Dunedin's CBD in the biggest protest march in the city for over a decade. The call went out far and wide for local residents to protest the possible relocation of South Island neurosurgery services to Christchurch.

Wellington, Aug 13 NZPA - Health Minister Tony Ryall needs to talk to those affected by health sector cuts when he "sneaks" into hospitals, says Labour Party deputy leader Annette King.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA

Wellington, Aug 9 NZPA - The Government will wait to see what an expert panel decides for neurological services in the South Island rather than interfering, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, Aug 6 NZPA - Thousands of people marched through central Dunedin today in a protest about the potential loss of neurosurgery services from the region, ahead of a report to the Health Minister this year.

Wellington, June 21 NZPA - Disagreement over which South Island hospital should host the mainland's only neurosurgical services has led to the matter being referred to an expert panel.