Trips not needed; it’s all right here

Dunedin woman Debbie Green. Photo by Gregor Richardson.

Ms Green (54) paid the travel and accommodation costs, and she feared others might not be able to afford to do the same.

Her GP initially told her there was no treatment for a debilitating hand condition called Dupuytren's contracture. He said she had to wait until the fingers on the affected hand were twisted permanently at a 45-degree angle, and then she would probably receive surgery.

Not satisfied, she searched online, and discovered the Waikato District Health Board performed low-level radiation treatment for the condition.

It is not a cure - but a few X-ray sessions knocked the progression of the tissue tightening hand disease back by a decade or more and restored the use of her left hand. Previously, simple tasks such as driving and preparing food were painful - and it was only going to get worse.

The treatment itself was free, but she paid about $2500 for accommodation and airfares for three trips to Hamilton in January, February, and April.

She contacted the Otago Daily Times wanting to alert others to the existence of the treatment.

Ms Green was astounded after ODT inquiries revealed the treatment had been carried out at Dunedin Hospital for more than a decade.

''I am absolutely amazed. My hand is so important to me.''

She questioned whether GPs were kept up to date about available treatments.

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Trips not needed; it's all right here