Concerns about a possible public-private redevelopment of health services in the Wakatipu are likely to be raised with the Southern District Health Board by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.
Staff and health unions at Lakes District Hospital have been given until March 18 to respond to Southern District Health Board management proposals which seek to combine hospital and community health services in an integrated family health centre (IFHC).
The redevelopment could involve a public-private partnership at the Remarkables Park site with Queenstown Medical Centre or could involve altering the existing hospital in Frankton.
NZNO industrial adviser Glenda Alexander said the union's experience with public-private partnerships has been that such arrangements did not necessarily improve the overall quality of services.
Ms Alexander was also concerned that the union had not been briefed before this week's meeting with management.
The matter will be on the agenda of Thursday's monthly board meeting, for noting, but with concerns being raised already by unions, it seems unlikely the board will be making a decision in April as hoped.
