News Releases
Here's the latest news from WellSouth.
Questions or comments? Contact us at communications@wellsouth.org.nz
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WellSouth's Newborn Enrolment Kahu Taurima Programme a finalist at the Primary Care Awards 2026
Friday 11 September 2026
WellSouth's Newborn Enrolment Kahu Taurima Programme is a finalist at the Primary Care Awards for the HALEO Best Supplier Service, Product or Campaign category. Winners will be announced on 17 October.
WellSouth Pou Haumanu Māori - Clinical Advisor Māori, Dr Miriama Ketu-McKenzie designed and spearheaded this programme with support from...
World Suicide Prevention Day 2026
Tuesday 01 September 2026
Kia ora whanau
World Suicide Prevention Day is on Thursday the 10th of September. The theme for 2024-2026 is Changing the Narrative on Suicide. The aim is to shift the narrative of suicide from a culture of silence and a lack of understanding to one of openness, empathy and support.
...
Influenza A Update
Wednesday 19 August 2026A spike in Influenza A cases has created exceptional demand on the Health Sector across New Zealand, leading the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners to issue guidance to practices around triaging and separating out patients with respiratory symptoms. We are aware the Otago/Southland region has equally been impacted,...
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...