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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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...
Meet our new Population Health Pharmacist
Wednesday 18 June 2025Welcome to our new Population Health Pharmacist, Lisa Richards, who is joining Sandy So in the WellSouth Pharmacy team.
Pou Tōkeke Population Health Pharmacists work with general practices, community pharmacies and Māori and Pacific health providers, specifically the latter, where they provide medication reviews and advice, hospital discharge support, planning and...
Giving more voice to future health care planning
Wednesday 23 April 2025Many more people in Otago and Southland can now rest assured health providers will know what their health care wishes are at times where they are unable to speak for themselves, often at the end of their lives.
In February 2024, WellSouth, the primary health organisation (PHO) for Otago and Southland,...
Dedicated Primary Care Integration manager appointed for New Dunedin Hospital
Thursday 17 April 2025Demonstrating its commitment for a-whole-of-system approach for the New Dunedin Hospital, WellSouth has appointed an Integration Manager, Primary and Community Services for New Dunedin Hospital, Nick Taylor.
Mr Taylor, formerly a WellSouth Primary Care Relationship Manager, will work alongside other WellSouth colleagues and colleagues at Health New Zealand to bring voice...
Pressure cooker in rural general practice
Friday 04 April 2025A primary care survey report shows that general practices in rural Otago and Southland are feeling the pressure, and are, compared to their urban counterparts, more likely to struggle to retain workforce, fill gaps and therefore provide care for the community they live in.
Here is the Primary Care Survey November...
WellSouth boosts free flu vaccination eligibility
Monday 31 March 2025Hundreds of Māori and Pacific Island people in Southland and Otago who are aged 55 – 64 years old are once again covered for the flu vaccine this year, after WellSouth Primary Health Network confirmed funding.
Persons aged 65 and over or people who have long-term medical conditions like diabetes, asthma,...