The Southern District Health Board is adamant patients won't suffer, despite planned finding cuts to Oamaru hospital.
Thousands of protestors took to the streets in the rural town yesterday, claiming residents will have to go to Dunedin for specialist care if the cuts are made.
But CEO Carole Heatly said patient welfare has always been a top concern - and these cuts won't change that.
"At the moment patients travel from Oamaru down to Dunedin for specialist care because if you need heart surgery or you need brain surgery you have to come to a centre of excellence to have that done."
Heatly is hopeful a negotiation can be made in the coming weeks.
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