After seeing a private neurologist in March, Maere now knows he has middle-ear dysfunction, doesn’t require medication, and is going through the process of having his licence reinstated.
The Southern District Health Board declined to comment on Maere's case because of privacy reasons, despite him signing a privacy waiver.
However, general manager of the board's medicine, women’s and children directorate Simon Donlevy did respond to
Stuff's query about the number of neurologists working at Southland Hospital.
The board employed five neurologists, he said, all of whom were based in Dunedin but visited Southland Hospital on a weekly basis.