News Releases
Here's the latest news from WellSouth.
Questions or comments? Contact us at communications@wellsouth.org.nz
Or contact Frederique Gulcher, WellSouth Communications and Engagement Manager, 021 854 734.
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Newborn welcome programme to boost enrolments and immunisations
Tuesday 14 October 2025New parents and primary care givers in Otago and Southland will have a gift pack waiting for them at general practices when they enrol their newborn, encouraging them to enrol their baby early, setting them up for access to timely and long-term health support.
This incentive is part of a new...
National Nurse Practitioner Training Programme – Sector Collaboration in Action
Wednesday 08 October 2025Tēnā koe,
As Chief Executives of PHOs across Aotearoa, we wanted to give you advanced notice of an announcement that will occur later today.
We are pleased to share that a consortium of six PHOs (Mahitahi Hauora, Pegasus, Pinnacle, ProCare, Tū Ora Compass Health, and WellSouth) has been selected to deliver the...
Southern screening rates are up
Thursday 25 September 2025Cervical screening rates for our Southern Māori and Pacific communities have increased 10% compared to last year, due to collaborative efforts between WellSouth and community healthcare providers in Otago and Southland.
WellSouth, the primary health organisation (PHO) for Otago and Southland looks to close the equity gap even further after...
Oamaru Pink Event targets cervical screening
Monday 22 September 2025This Cervical Screening Awareness Month (September), Pacific women in Oamaru will be able to talanoa/talk with clinicians about cervical cancer and access on-the-spot screening at the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) Moana Lei Pink Event this Saturday 27 September.
Moana Lei, also known as Pink Days, is a collaboration between...
Southern’s Access and Choice Programme celebrates five years of free mental health support
Wednesday 20 August 2025Since it began in August 2020, the programme has delivered more than 175,000 sessions to over 56,000 people, making mental health and wellbeing support more accessible to individuals and whanau across Otago and Southland.
This month marks five years since the launch of Access and Choice in the Southern region, a...
Southern nurse training hits milestone
Tuesday 05 August 2025A nurse training programme upskilling nurses at general practices to prescribe medications is celebrating 100 graduates, playing its part to boost the primary care workforce in the South Island-Te Waipounamu.
The Te Waipounamu RN Prescribing in Community Health programme enables nurses across the South Island to prescribe common medications such...
Thousands benefiting from CPCT
Thursday 24 July 2025More than 6,600 people so far across Southland and Otago have benefited from a nationwide programme called Comprehensive Primary & Community Care Teams (or CPCT), which offers free care for those in need.
This is according to a new evaluation report by WellSouth, the primary health organisation (PHO) for Southland and...
Te Hau o Te Ora and Invercargill After Hours to move
Wednesday 16 July 2025The very low cost access general practice Te Hau o Te Ora which operates the Invercargill After Hours Service is moving to 65 Don Street, scheduled to welcome patients from Monday 28 July.
The after-hours service will remain open at the current Clyde Street location over the weekend of the...
A gold for Southern fracture service
Monday 14 July 2025A local service that is supporting older people to overcome the social, mental and physical effects of fragility fractures resulting from falls, has been awarded an internationally recognised gold standard.
The Southern Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) has achieved a gold award in the International Osteoporosis Foundation’s programme for fragility fracture care,...
WellSouth Capitation Statement
Wednesday 25 June 2025The news about a proposed capitation uplift of 9.13% is welcomed by WellSouth and our network of general practices in Otago and Southland. Capitation is the system whereby a general practice is paid by the government via a PHO per enrolled patient.
In past years, the national negotiations for primary...