Maniototo Hospital manager Geoff Foster is taking a keen interest in the outcome of any investigation into a combined medical workforce at the Lakes District and Dunstan Hospitals, under Central Otago governance.
The proposal is included in a report on options for future health care in the Wakatipu, to be considered by the Southern District Health Board next month.
The report, by the board's clinical advisory group, supports the shared workforce option and recommends it as one of three options which should be costed.
Lakes District Hospital is run by the health board while Dunstan is run by Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL), a health company contracted by the board to deliver services at the Clyde-based hospital.
Maniototo Hospital is also governed by a charitable company, which provides health services under contract to the board.
Approached by the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr Foster said he was interested to see how the proposal unfolded and the possible implications for health care in Central Otago.
"It will be interesting to see what becomes of this recommendation for some form of Central Otago organisational structure or governance and then see how it might work for us," he said.
The three hospitals are run independently.
Although Maniototo was on the edge of the Central Otago district, he said, it tended to "work in" more with Dunedin Hospital.
"But we're all in the rural heartland and obviously we take an interest in the direction our neighbouring hospitals might be going.
Everybody's looking at the best way forward."
The managers of rural hospitals in the wider district met regularly to discuss rural health issues in common.
The different governance structures for each of those facilities had been tailored to meet the needs of their communities, he said.
Further co-operation between the facilities might provide more support for the sole doctor in the Maniototo, Verne Smith, who was employed by the health company as the hospital's medical officer.
"It's difficult when you're relying on one person to be on duty and cover such a vast area, " Mr Foster said.
Maniototo Hospital has 15 beds, and employs a staff of 41 people, including part-timers.
Asked about the "shared workforce and governance" option, Dunstan Hospital general manager Carol Horgan made similar comments to those of COHSL chairman Russell McGeorge, reported in yesterday's Otago Daily Times.
Dr Horgan had not read the report yet.
It was "far too soon" to comment, he said.
"We've told the District Health Board we're interested in what's happening in the Wakatipu and are happy to talk with them."
Mr Foster said the main focus for the Maniototo Hospital was working with the neighbouring Chalet Home for the Aged.
There were advantages for the separate entities in some form of co-operation.
