The Hutt Valley District Health Board is all set to recommence breast reconstruction surgery to breast cancer survivors in central New Zealand, after four years of rejecting appointments.

Due to the increase in mastectomies, the board now continues to offer breast reformation to women in the central region.

In 2006, the Board stopped providing the operation to the ones who had delayed it for any reason.

It projected a lack of operating theatres and surgeons.

The Board has now signed a long-term pact with Boulcott Private Hospital which would provide subsidies of about $500,000 per year to conduct operations. It plans to complete 100 delayed operations every year, out of which 50 would be conducted at the Boulcott Private Hospital.

The waiting list for reconstruction projected hundreds of women from Nelson, Hawke's Bay and Marlborough. However, operation is confirmed to be provided to 20 women who were promised earlier. For the rest, the operation would begin from July onwards.

The decision has acknowledged by Health Minister Tony Ryall.

Chief Executive, Mr. Hundleby said, "We are really pleased to be able to offer this surgery to women again. It's something our plastic surgeons have wanted to do for a long time".