10 Apr 2011

DHB urged to think carefully about proposed changes

2:49 pm on 10 April 2011

A health action group says Southern District Health Board will need to think long and hard before making changes to the way health services are delivered in Queenstown.

Following a public meeting this week attended by more than 500 people, the Wakatipu Health Trust says it's clear there is unease in the community about the DHB's plans.

The DHB wants to cut clinical staff and move to a family health centre, where public services will be offered alongside a private general practitioner.

Maria Cole from the trust says the DHB has failed to come up with detailed plans about the governance and operational set-up of the new centre.

But the DHB chief executive Brian Rousseau says a new model of care is needed to help reduce a $2 million deficit at Lakes District Hospital.