Delivering Wakatipu Health Services in the Future

Public Consultation - Delivering Wakatipu Health Services in the Future

Southland DHB recognises a change is required to the way health care services are configured in the Wakatipu Basin and is proposing a number of innovations to better meet the community’s needs.

The DHB is consulting with the Wakatipu community, its staff and stakeholders from today on a proposal for a different model of health service delivery, an upgrade to the Lakes District Hospital facility to establish an Integrated Family Healthcare Centre (IFHC) and a change to the way it is governed.

“Southland DHB and the Wakatipu Basin community face a number of challenges with regards to the provision of healthcare,” says Regional Chief Executive Officer Brian Rousseau.

“We have an opportunity to meet those challenges with a model that offers better co-ordination of services and more local say in how those services are run."

Mr Rousseau said Southland DHB had been exploring options for some time, including the commissioning of the Rural Hospital Capacity Review, to better meet the health care needs of the Wakatipu Basin community.

“Now that we have developed this proposal we are very keen that everyone reviews it and tells us what they think of it.”

The consultation process will run until Friday 23 April. Once all the views are collated on the proposed changes, they will be summarised into a report for the DHB Board to assist in its decision-making.

A copy of this report will be made available on the new Southern DHB website on Thursday 13 May 2010.

How to obtain a copy of the consultation document

A copy of the consultation document, Delivering Wakatipu Health Care Services in the Future, is now available on the Southland DHB website www.sdhb.govt.nz

It can also be accessed electronically using the link http://feedback.osdhbs.govt.nz/.

To obtain a hard copy, and for more information about the consultation process, you can contact the EA to the Regional Deputy CEO & Southland DHB Chief Operating Officer, Judy Keville, on 03 21 47208 or email judy.keville@sdhb.gov.nz.

Learn More about the Consultation by attending a public meeting.

Public meetings are scheduled in Queenstown on:

• Tuesday , 9 March, 4pm, Queenstown Memorial Hall

• Tuesday, 9 March, 7pm, Queenstown Memorial Hall

• Saturday, 27 March (time and venue to be advised)

Representatives from Southland DHB will give a presentation on the proposed changes and the reasons for the required change. There will also be a question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

Southland DHB is also holding meetings for staff and is consulting with local Runanga through established links.

Make a Submission

The submission period begins Monday 1 March 2009 and ends at 5pm, Friday 23 April.

While we have attached a questionnaire (Appendix 2) to the consultation document to help you in providing your views, all written submissions will be accepted. Hard copies can be sent to Judy Keville, EA to Deputy Regional CEO & Southland COO, PO Box 828, Invercargill 9840.

You can also submit an electronic copy by completing the consultation questionnaire online using the link http://feedback.osdhbs.govt.nz/ or www.sdhb,govt.nz.

You can also fill in a questionnaire and submit it at the end of one of the public meetings. Submissions close 5pm, Friday 23 April 2010

Any questions you may have about the consultation process or proposal should be forwarded to Judy Keville at the contact details above.

We look forward to hearing your views.

ENDS

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