Progress and investment mark WellSouth’s financial year
WellSouth Primary Health Network has released its 2024-2025 Annual Report, detailing a year of system-wide progress and strong investment in general practice and community across Otago and Southland, despite persistent challenges of under-funding.
WellSouth CEO Andrew Swanson-Dobbs says the year demonstrates strong financial and professional support for primary care providers, including 79 general practices for more than 338,000 enrolled patients.
In the 2024/25 financial year, WellSouth received funding of $128.4m ($112.4 million of $128.3 million) and channelled 93% directly into frontline primary care services, up from 90% the year before. This includes $106 million in direct payments to general practices and providers (including capitation, flexible funding, and subcontractor payments.
This also marked the last AGM for Doug Hill, who has been on the WellSouth Board for 15 years, including eight as chair.
Reflecting on his 15 years of service, Dr Hill noted milestones including the unification of nine PHOs into a single network and rapid response to COVID-19 as well as strengthened partnerships and the development of culturally responsive care models.
Achievements from the 2024-2025 financial year
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$119.4 million (88%) of total funding directed to primary care, supporting 79 practices and over 330,000 enrolled patients.
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98% enrolment coverage maintained despite population growth and static workforce levels.
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Success with access where 76.3% of patients were seen within five business days approaching the national target of 80%.
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Equity improvements in Māori and Pacific enrolment, cervical screening, and childhood immunisation outreach (more below).
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Professional development to train hundreds of nurses and healthcare assistants across the region, an expanded the RN prescribing programme, and a new Primary Care Practice Assistant pilot.
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Local and targeted workforce support including fully funded Foundation Standard assessments for practices, free accreditation assessments, streamlined reporting, and quality improvement support.
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Access to specialist roles – Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches, pharmacists, dietitians and mental health professionals working within practices.
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Advocacy – a strong, local voice ensuring Southern practices are heard in regional and national health decisions.
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Innovative care models, including the expansion of Comprehensive Primary & Community Care Teams and the launch of the Extended Primary Care programme for rural urgent care.
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System leadership, with primary care representation embedded in New Dunedin Hospital planning and advocacy for rural funding uplifts.
Challenges remain, particularly workforce shortages, persistent equity gaps in immunisation and avoidable hospitalisations, while the population grows.
Mr Swanson-Dobbs says the report shows that WellSouth has made tangible progress.
“We have increased enrolment, improved support and access for chronic-condition management, as well as mental health access, trained and upskilled hundreds of nursing staff, and bolstered rural practices.”
“WellSouth will continue to lead in developing workforce capability, advancing integrated care models, and strengthening relationships across the health system to ensure the best outcomes for our communities,” he says.
In terms of health measures, here are the key notes:
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Immunisation: 88.3% of enrolled 24-month-olds were fully immunised, narrowly missing the 90% national target. The Māori–non-Māori equity gap (1.04) remains a key area for improvement.
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Avoidable Hospitalisations: Rates continue to show persistent inequities, particularly for Māori and Pacific peoples, reflecting structural access barriers consistent with national trends.
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Cancer Screening: Cervical screening coverage increased across all ethnicities, with Māori and Pacific women showing significant gains and WellSouth now outperforming national averages.
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Access and Experience: Patient-reported access and cultural safety indicators remain above or near national averages, though equity gaps persist for Māori and Pacific respondents.
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Chronic Conditions: Improved diabetes management is evident, with declining HbA1c levels and increased annual reviews. Cardiovascular risk assessments are improving for Māori and Pacific populations, aided by targeted interventions.
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Mental Health: The Access and Choice programme continues to perform close to the 80% target for one-week access, with recent gains following workforce stabilisation.
Mr Swanson-Dobbs says the focus for the next year is similar.
“Workforce resilience, immunisation coverage, and culturally safe engagement will be key to sustaining gains and achieving national performance targets in 2025–26.”
While the report reflects on the year just been, Dr Hill notes the significance of primary care to the success of care in the regions, and of the new Dunedin Hospital.
“A modern hospital can only achieve its full potential if it is supported by strong, integrated, and well-resourced primary care. WellSouth is in strong hands, guided by clear values, a capable Board, and a team deeply committed to its communities,” says Dr Hill.
ABOUT SYSTEM LEVEL MEASURES
System Level Measures (SLMs) are a set of indicators used to track and improve the overall performance and outcomes of the health system. These measures focus on key areas of health and well-being, aiming to improve the health of the population and reduce inequities.
There were two financially incentivised SLM milestones for the 2024 – 2025 financial year; Immunisation rate of enrolled 24-month-olds and Immunisation equity gap of enrolled 24-month-olds.
ENDS
Doug pictured here (seated) with Andrew and Chair, Emma Wyeth.
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