The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is asking the public for feedback on the future of Southern healthcare before it is replaced by Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority on July 1.

New Zealand’s 20 district health boards will be replaced by the two central organisations as part of a national health reform.

SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said the district health board had developed the Southern Transition Strategy and Southern Transition website so Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority can continue to hear from staff and the community.

“Southerners know the needs of our community best, so it’s very important we continue to get their feedback on our health care system,” Chris said.

Under the new system a collective of networks or ‘localities’ will provide advice to Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority on the health service needs identified by their communities.

After localities are identified, a locality commissioner will be assigned to work with community and providers to meet and talk about their priorities for local care before a ‘locality plan’ is formed.

SDHB chief operating officer Hamish Brown has been appointed as the interim district director for Southern, leading the region’s health system for the first three to six months after Health New Zealand takes over.

Chris said the SDHB has already consulted with more than 80 stakeholders from across the community ahead of its replacement, developing four ‘guiding principles’ it will hand over to Health New Zealand in July. 

“This represents our pathway forward, which includes our top guiding principles – focusing on whānau and patient-centred care, a more central leadership role for Māori, becoming a part of Health NZ but continuing to do what we do, and building and fostering connections around the motu,” Chris said.

It has also identified five possible localities: Waitaki, Dunedin, Clutha and Gore, Southland and Central Lakes (which would include Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes).

Chris said he hoped members of the community would have their say on the Southern Transition Strategy, which he said would help “bolster” the importance of the guiding principles and highlight the need for an “equitable, well-connected, and integrated health system”.

The past few years had been challenging for the community and health sector, Chris said.

“Now is the time to give us your feedback so we can pass the baton to Health New Zealand, knowing our community has had a voice in the future of Southern health.” 

Members of the community can find more information here and fill out a short survey to have their say here.

PHOTO: nsp.co.nz