While debate continues over the primary health organisation set-up in the South, Otago's biggest PHO, Well Dunedin, faces losing 13 of its 27 practices.
Chief executive Sandy Baines last week said she hoped the practices concerned would reconsider, at least until uncertainty over the future arrangements was settled.
She would like to see some consensus on a future structure for Otago and Southland PHOs within four to six weeks.
Last week, the Otago and Southland district health boards pulled back from making a decision on a single PHO proposal for the two provinces, proposed by chief executive Brian Rousseau.
He eventually withdrew that recommendation.
It is not clear what steps he will take on the matter, but the existing nine PHOs and some board members have called for more consultation and information on the proposal and options.
At the meeting, although no vote was taken, Southland members indicated a preference for a two-PHO set-up, meaning one for Southland and one for Otago.
The four Southland PHOs are already working under one management structure, but not the five in Otago.
Ms Baines said she was yet to receive formal notification from practices wanting to shift to the Taieri-Strath Taieri PHO, the smallest PHO in Otago.
Because there had been no direct contact by the practices about their concerns, she was dealing with hearsay.
The organisation was not taking a political stance on the issue.
"Our stance, as always, is that we are worried about what patients are going to miss out on.
That's the position we are trying to work through with practices."
The PHO had initiatives including a healthy homes programme through which some patients could get free insulation.
Such services would not be available if their GP moved to another PHO.
It would also be difficult for Well Dunedin to know where to concentrate services when faced with a fragmented community.
Prof Murray Tilyard, the executive director of South Link Health (which represents general practice), said a copy of a letter outlining the practices' intention to shift which had gone to Mr Rousseau had also been delivered to Ms Baines.
He expected termination of contract notices, which give 40 days' warning, to be delivered this Thursday.
Issues of the departing practices included long-standing concerns about lack of communication and openness about the PHO's direction and a feeling of being unsupported.
Asked if the move to Taieri-Strath Taieri by these practices might be seen as South Link Health trying to get a stronghold in a PHO, Prof Tilyard noted the strong contractural relationship between the two.
South Link Health had formed the PHOs and nobody questioned that, but now it was seen as "the devil in disguise".
At the meeting last week, Mr Rousseau asked the board to reject the South Link Health proposal for a PHO structure covering Otago, Southland and South Canterbury, possibly with a single governing body.
Because Mr Rousseau withdrew his recommendations, that proposition was still alive, Prof Tilyard said.
South Link Health would be canvassing its members' views.
More than 80% had previously said they would consider shifting PHO allegiance in principle.
They could now give their input on changes they supported and how to get there.
