What is the Southern Lakes Health Charitable Trust?
The Southern Lakes Health Trust is a charitable organisation established to support the Southern Lakes Health Strategy and help pave the way for improved public healthcare across the district.
Funds will be used to undertake the essential groundwork – from scoping and planning to building partnerships and finding practical solutions. This behind-the-scenes work is vital to unlock and drive projects that improve health outcomes and reduce inequities for everyone in our community.
As our population grows, so does the private health sector – we’re working to make sure public, free health services don’t get left behind.
What is the purpose of the Strategic Health Report?
The report was developed for the Minister of Health, Hon Simeon Brown. It outlines the health challenges facing our rapidly growing region and the opportunities for public-private collaborations.
The report calls on the Minister to:
- recognise the Southern Lakes region as one integrated health area with unique challenges
- support the proposal in principle
- identify public-funded health priorities from the partnership opportunities outlined.
Why are two health districts involved?
The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Central Otago District Council (CODC) share similar health challenges due to their remote geography, limited access to health services, ageing population, population growth, and seasonal visitor peaks.
This initiative refers to the combined area as the Otago Central Lakes.
Who is behind the report?
The report was developed by a regional steering group that meets every month. It includes local mayors Glynn Lewers and Tamah Alley, MPs Joseph Mooney, Miles Anderson and Todd Stephenson, and involves Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, both local Territorial Authorities, rural health providers and iwi, including Kaupapa Maōri health providers.
The process was designed and led by Independent Convenor Helen Foot, who brings deep local knowledge and four years of experience in health planning and community consultation, as Chair of the Central Lakes Locality Health Network.
Why wasn’t the community consulted?
While there hasn’t yet been formal community consultation, community voices have been well-represented throughout this process by elected officials and the many groups consulted. The community’s frustration and concerns are well-documented and have been considered throughout the many conversations with health providers across the region, and key forums that have informed this report.
More than 100 people and organisations have been involved in the project, including:
- Mayors: Glynn Lewers and Tamah Alley (previously Tim Cadogan).
- MP’s: Joseph Mooney, Miles Anderson and Todd Stephenson.
- Ministers: Dr Shane Reti, Mark Patterson, Matt Doocey, David Seymour, and Former Finance/Prime Minister Bill English.
- Over 20 private health service providers and developers
- More than 20 health clinicians and clinical leaders
- Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, Ministry of Health, WellSouth, Ministry of Social Development, Accident Compensation Corporation
- Iwi, including Kaupapa Maōri health providers
- Rural health providers
- Whaiora Grow Well Partnership for Queenstown Lakes (incl. Central Otago)
- Health Action Wānaka
- Health NZ Southern Leadership Team
- Lakes District Hospital Foundation.
We acknowledge the depth of health expertise and knowledge that has been shared with us. If you’d like to contribute your voice, we welcome feedback through our contact page.
What sources of information has the report used?
The report draws on a wide range of existing data, research and community sentiment, including:
- DRAFT (26.04.24) Te Waipounamu, Health and Wellbeing Plan 2024-26. Te Whatu Ora.
- Report of the Wakatipu Health Services Expert Panel. 29 August 2011.
- Health Dialogue. A Public Hospital for 2026 Queenstown. ASMS.
- Minister of Health. 2023. Rural Health Strategy. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
- WellSouth Rural Services Review Report 2024.
Why isn’t Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora leading this?
Key leaders from Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora have been with us from the outset. Their teams have helped shape the thinking and contributed clinical insights, and have been involved in crucial discussions. However, our region faces urgent, long-standing infrastructure gaps that go beyond what Health NZ can currently deliver.
Whilst they are doing what they can to fast-track their clinical service planning, this work complements their efforts and aims to accelerate practical solutions by bringing in community leadership and private sector collaboration.
Are local private health providers involved?
Yes – local private health providers have been involved from the outset. Solutions identified in the report include opportunities for existing services to expand, collaborate, and co-locate services.
How do our existing public local health services fit in?
This work aims to support and strengthen publicly funded services by ensuring that our local Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora teams have the right infrastructure to deliver care closer to home.
What does the Minister think of this plan?
We are awaiting the Minister’s feedback and would like to see him encourage Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora to work with us, providing the necessary information, and actively engaging in finding solutions.
By working with our group, the Minister will get an organised response to the local health issues for our growing population. We are not a single-issue advocacy group; this is a strategic response to a comprehensive issue affecting the entire Southern Lakes region.
Don’t these communities have access to Dunedin and Invercargill hospitals?
The nature of political and regional boundaries means that a vast proportion of people in Otago Central Lakes are hours away from the healthcare they need when the chips are down.
These are no longer all remote rural areas we’re talking about. We need adequate local health services that don’t depend on where you live.
Is having to travel to base hospitals not just an aspect of living in relatively remote areas?
The key driver behind this project is concern about the healthcare needs of our region, as more and more people are living here. Otago Central Lakes’ current peak day population of 168,000 residents and visitors is expected to almost double to 302,000 by 2054.
These are no longer quiet holiday towns. Otago Central Lakes has a combined population that is on track to rival some of New Zealand’s cities. It is time to put the healthcare services for this area, in the area.
Will this lead to the privatisation of our health service?
No. The goal is the opposite: to increase access to publicly funded healthcare by using private sector infrastructure or investment to support public services.
Without action, we risk a two-tier system. With collaboration, we can use emerging private developments to improve public health for everyone. That is what we are working towards.
Will this provide much-needed maternity services?
Yes – maternity care has been a priority from the outset. We are looking at opportunities to deliver accessible maternity services, support midwives and nurses, and reduce the need for travel during pregnancy and birth.
How does this link to the Regional Deal?
The Strategic Health Report is part of the region’s Regional Deal submission. These deals support councils to make improvements in their region by providing the certainty needed to attract and retain investments to deliver change, particularly in infrastructure. 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.
Do you have financial supporters?
Yes, our founding supporter is Markit Law.
We’re also proud to have the support of Rod Drury, who is committed to strengthening healthcare in our community.
Markit Law, Otago Community Trust and Central Lakes Trust have provided financial assistance to produce the report.
What progress has been made so far?
We are beginning to implement the plan as the budget becomes available.
A memorandum of understanding is currently being developed between Southern Infrastructure and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to initiate community consultation and planning for a privately financed public hospital for Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. In addition, a strategic case has been submitted to include this project in the National Infrastructure Plan, designating it as a project of national significance.
Do we have the workforce to deliver this?
Workforce development will be key to the success of this plan. By creating modern facilities and a strong local support network, we aim to attract and retain skilled health professionals in the region.
What if we do not act now?
If we delay, the region’s health infrastructure gap will only continue to grow. More private providers will build, but only those who can pay will benefit.
Now is the window to act. If we collaborate and work together, we can ensure that everyone in our community has fair access to healthcare.
