At least 10 submissions from staff and unions have been received by the Southern District Health Board management regarding proposals for an Integrated Family Health Centre in Queenstown.
Management sought feedback by last Friday on proposals to provide community and hospital services at one site - the Lakes District Hospital, in a public-private partnership at the Remarkables Park development, or at another location.
Since this would take some years, management also proposed to limit access to the emergency department at Lakes District Hospital in Frankton from July, between 8am and 10pm.
It estimated that could save $500,000 on staffing costs yearly, although the amount would be reduced by a subsidy for those non-urgent patients referred to general practitioners.
Board chief executive Brian Rousseau said earlier this week he was trying to organise a meeting with Associated Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell on his union's concerns.
Submissions are being analysed by support manager Cherie Wells and Mr Rousseau has called a public meeting in Queenstown on the evening of April 6.
