The recently completed Central Lakes clinical services plan by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand marks a significant milestone, according to the Southern Lakes Health Trust.

Completed before Christmas, the clinical services plan is currently being considered by Minister of Health Simeon Brown - just a few months after the review began in July. 

SLHT chair Tony Paterson said it was a hugely important step forward for the community.

 “For years, we’ve been raising concerns that health services and infrastructure in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago are woefully inadequate for our rapidly growing and geographically isolated population. 

“Until now, it’s been difficult to advocate effectively without the comprehensive data needed to prove it. We’re confident the Clinical Services Plan will now provide that irrefutable evidence and make our needs impossible to ignore.”

SLHT is made up of trustees Pam Shaw, a Queenstown nurse and Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley.

The steering committee consists of Mayor Tamah, Queenstown Lakes District Mayor John Glover, and the region’s three MPs Joseph Mooney, Miles Anderson and Todd Stephenson.

The group put together a strategic health report last year that helped shape the clinical services plan, and also linked to the Regional Deal submission.

Councils have requested $1.5 million to develop six high-priority projects that would increase access to health services across Queenstown, Wānaka and Central Otago.

Health NZ planners were alerted to the fact in the report that patients were undertaking around 60,000 trips to Dunedin and Invercargill every year unnecessarily - often for just 10 minute appointments.

There were also certain health needs within communities that Health NZ hadn’t known about.

Tony said the trust would like to acknowledge community leaders, health providers and everyone who participated in the clinical services planning process, as well as the Health NZ team who delivered this work in just three months. 

“With over 700 people a week travelling hundreds of kilometres to access sometimes quite minor procedures – as well as emergency health care – it is clear that Health NZ has listened to us, that there is an urgent need here.”

He said after two years of sustained effort, they are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to the goal of increasing publicly funded health services in our region, including the delivery of a hospital. 

“In particular, we acknowledge the steadfast leadership shown by Joseph Mooney MP, and the dedicated expert guidance provided by Helen Foot and her team. 

“The trust now looks forward to the public release of the Clinical Services Plan, focusing on keeping the pedal to the metal to progress the equitable delivery of much-needed health services for our Southern Lakes Community."

Read more: Health NZ: 60,000 patient trips could be cut in major service overhaul

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