In February, the Otago Daily Times obtained a copy of a confidential ''proposal of change'' document distributed to staff that included a proposed staffing restructure and the reconfiguration of the hospital's layout to increase efficiency.
The document has caused much discussion in the community and has caused public unease.
As a result, four community meetings were held last week at the Oamaru Opera House.
The meetings were to explain the proposed changes to the layout of the hospital, address the ''proposal for change'' and allow the public to ask questions about the proposal.
WDHS chairman Chris Swann said that the meetings achieved their goal, which was to provide residents with some clarity on the proposals for the hospital.
''I think they went well because it gave the community the ability to ask whatever questions they wanted to ask and to get an answer. I think it gave the hospital the opportunity to say this is not about cutting costs, this is about clinical services and being more effective with staffing. That's what's driving it.''
However, Waitaki Community Hospital Action Group chairwoman Dr Janice Clayton said the group would have liked a more open forum.
''Members of the action group would have liked an open process in a larger meeting where community members were not siloed and had longer question-and-answer sessions to flesh out the issues and get a clearer understanding of the rationale for the path management are now taking.
''The four sessions were by no means community workshops as stated by the facilitator. We would like to get feedback from management about what they learned from the community feedback they received.''
