Otago and Southland district health boards general manager of planning and funding David Chrisp said last week consultants Cranleigh Health had provided an " early look at the data model" for the hospital capacity review.
It was a bit like having the engine of a motor car - " now we have to build the body around it" he told the community and public health advisory committee.
The project, which began last year, was progressing well, he said.
Speaking later, he said the model showed existing services, and incorporated population projections, to predict how many beds would be needed in the next 20 years.
The next step would be looking at how hospital services might be delivered in future, given changes in technology and population.
Management would be going back to rural hospitals soon to check the data on what was already being provided was correct.
The project was not yet looking at the specific types of beds which might be needed, but at beds in general.
The boards should have a report on the project by September, but it was not clear at this stage when there might be community consultation on it.
The part of the project which would speculate about how future care might be provided would be peer reviewed before it went out for public discussion, Mr Chrisp said.
