News Releases
Here's the latest news from WellSouth.
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Primary care in the South enters a period of change — WellSouth stays local
Wednesday 01 July 2026From 1 July 2026, some general practices across Otago and Southland will move to a different Primary Health Organisation, as part of a wider shift in how primary care is organised nationally. For patients, very little changes. Their practice, their doctor and their care stay where they are.
A few practices...
Fracture Prevention Service punches high
Wednesday 24 June 2026
A Southern health service designed to help older adults in Otago and Southland stay independent and out of hospital from falls and fractures is punching above its weight nationally.
The publicly-funded Southern Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), delivered by local primary health organisation (PHO) WellSouth, works with people aged 50...
Te Waipounamu Workforce Development Hub – Introduction and Early Priority
Tuesday 23 June 2026Kia ora,
We’re pleased to share that Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has funded the establishment of a Te Waipounamu Workforce Development Hub. Pegasus Health and WellSouth have been contracted to jointly establish and implement the Hub, on behalf of PHOs, primary care providers, and partners across the region.
The...
WellSouth Statement on Budget 2026: a missed opportunity for primary care
Friday 29 May 2026Statement from Andrew Swanson-Dobbs, Chief Executive, WellSouth Primary Health Network
Budget 2026 is a missed opportunity for primary care, and for the communities that depend on it most, in particular our rural people and practices.
The lion's share of new investment once again flows to hospitals and specialist services. For Otago and...
WellSouth Statement on Privacy Commissioner Findings for Manage My Health
Wednesday 27 May 2026Statement from Damon Campbell, COO WellSouth Primary Health Network
Today's Privacy Commissioner findings are important. Not only was the Manage My Health breach preventable, but it found that GP practices were not the source of the breach and could not have prevented it. During the crisis response we advocated strongly for...
PHOs working together for AI-Enabled Health Platform
Tuesday 21 April 2026In what is a first, eight Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) spanning Aotearoa New Zealand have launched a joint procurement process to identify a shared, AI-capable technology platform for primary health operations.
The participating PHOs include WellSouth Primary Health Network, Tū Ora Compass Health, THINK Hauora, Health Hawke's Bay, ProCare Health...
WellSouth continues to boost free flu vaccination eligibility
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Māori, Pacific peoples and former refugees in Otago and Southland aged 50 plus are now eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, after WellSouth Primary Health Network confirmed immunisation funding.
WellSouth has previously boosted free flu vaccination to provide for Māori and Pacific for the last 2 years...
Southern Wellbeing service hits 200,000 encounters
Thursday 12 March 2026Tōku Oranga Access and Choice Southern Service, a free primary care mental health and wellbeing support programme, has reached 200,000 encounters across the Southern regions of Otago and Southland.
Launched in 2020, the award-winning programme provides free 20–30-minute appointments with Health Improvement Practitioners (HIP), Health Coaches or Community Support Workers for...
Free health checks at Karitane Whānau Hauora Day
Monday 09 March 2026Free health checks, health advice, kids activities, free kai and heaps of prizes will be at the Whānau Hauora Day at Puketeraki Marae in Karitane (20 Apes Road) on Saturday, March 14, 10am-2pm.
WellSouth Primary Health Network and Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki have once again joined forces to provide free...
Push to boost cervical screening
Monday 02 March 2026While data shows current cervical screening rates for women aged 25-69 years old in Otago and Southland is continuing to improve, there’s more to be done. This week HPV Awareness Day is on March 4, a good time to encourage cervical screening.
WellSouth, the Primary Health Organisation (PHO) for Southland...