The Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital says it has had 369 patients through its doors and undertaken 63 publicly funded surgeries since opening on January 17.

Hospital executive chair Andrew Blair says they have been working closely with Te Whatu Ora Southern and says the service is helping ease the pressure on healthcare services in Invercargill and Dunedin and having a direct benefit to the local community. 

“The primary benefit is that Wānaka locals requiring elective surgery no longer have to travel to Invercargill or Dunedin, but can receive high quality care quickly, when they need it,” he said.

The private hospital, which is based in Lower Shotover in Queenstown, has entered into a services contract with Te Whatu Ora Southern (Health New Zealand) for the provision of some publicly funded procedures.  

“We can confirm that publicly funded patients receive urgent and planned care at the Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital,” Te Whatu Ora Southern senior communications advisor Kate Mackersy said.

“To date we have provided orthopaedics (acute and planned), ear nose and throat (ENT), eye, urology, and general surgery.”

Kate said clinical priority assessment criteria (CPAC) is used to determine public access to procedures at the hospital which is the same criteria for access to surgery at all publicly funded hospitals.

The hospital is a joint venture between Southern Cross and the Central Lakes Trust (CLT). Southern Cross Hospitals manage the facility with CLT as an investment partner.

The hospital has three operating theatres and employs approximately 47 staff.

PHOTO: Supplied