One of the issues with which South Island district health boards will have to grapple is how to plan for future buildings and equipment when estimates suggest more than $2 billion will be needed over 17 years.
This figure, for the period between 2013 and 2030, is greater than the available level of funding, the South Island regional health services plan says.
"We need to establish collective processes to ensure that our future investment decisions are co-ordinated and effective and we are making the most impact on health outcomes for the health dollars we spend."
The $2 billion price tag does not include any allocation for seismic strengthening which may be required.
The regional plan shows the Southern District Health Board expects to spend $33 million in the next three years on building and equipment and a further $164 million between 2013 and 2030.
This would include redevelopments at Dunedin and Wakari hospitals, and an allowance for Queenstown redevelopment.
Individual amounts are not spelled out in the report.
Traditionally, the boards have planned their capital investment largely independently of one another, but with a push to regional services and possible changes to the way some services are delivered, this is set to change.
In the next 20 years hospital redevelopment plans total $1.2 billion.
This includes $175 million on buildings and equipment in the next three years.
