The company that runs Dunstan Hospital has been "doing its homework" and is taking a close interest in planned changes to health services in the Wakatipu and to the Lakes District Hospital.
"Obviously, we're keeping up with what's happening with our neighbours, as whatever happens there could have some effect on Dunstan," Central Otago Health Services Ltd chairman Russell McGeorge said.
The community-owned health company has delivered health services from Dunstan since 1999, with base funding from the Southern District Health Board.
A clinical advisory group report earlier this year on future health services in the Wakatipu suggested a combined medical workforce at the Lakes District and Dunstan hospitals, under Central Otago governance, was one of three options that should be costed.
Mr McGeorge said Dunstan was open to discussing that option further. "But there's a lot of complex issues yet to be resolved, by both Lakes District and Dunstan hospitals and their communities. Dunstan is a community-owned hospital and it's for the community to decide what will happen." Hospital manager Dr Carol Horgan said although a broad spectrum of health services were provided from the hospital, the age of the district's population influenced the range of outpatient clinics offered.
"In Central Otago, we have a high proportion of our population in the over-65 age bracket, so that is a factor in the level of services required by the community." The expansion of services was ongoing, with the health company keen to improve access to services so patients did not have to travel to Dunedin for their care.
The construction of the new Dunstan hospital was government-funded but the furnishings, fittings and equipment were financed through a Central Lakes Trust grant and community fundraising.
The Maniototo Hospital in Ranfurly is also run by a non-profit company. Manager Geoff Foster said he was interested in how the proposals for health services in the Wakatipu area unfolded, but the Maniototo facility had its own plans.
Its main focus was working with the neighbouring Chalet Rest Home for the Aged and combining the two facilities into an integrated model.
The Maniototo facility tended to "work in" more with Dunedin Hospital than with Dunstan, he said.
