Potential transition of the health services currently delivered at Oamaru Hospital

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has entered into discussions with Waitaki District Council regarding a potential transition of the health services currently delivered at Oamaru Hospital.

We want to make sure that people living in rural communities have the services they need to live long and healthy lives, supported by a health system that meets their needs. 

Our focus is on ensuring ongoing sustainable health services for the local community and we wish to develop a joint transition programme with the Council on how the day-to-day operations of the hospital could be shifted to Health NZ. We will work closely with hospital leadership and the hospital staff as the plan is worked through. 

Health NZ is supportive of the review that the Council is going to commission. In light of the review, we will also work with local leaders on the timing of the stakeholder and community engagement on Te Waka Hauora o Waitaki Health Futures project. The aim of this project is to develop a health care model covering the whole mix of health care services in Waitaki, not just those managed by the Council, so it is timely these discussions are being held to ensure service continuity.

This is in line with our place-based planning approach, listening to the voices of the community and working with service providers to share their local knowledge about what can be improved or developed.  

The local community is fortunate to have a wonderful team of dedicated healthcare professionals in Waitaki and Health NZ highly values the hard work that they do every day.