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.
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,...
CPCT - a success story in Southern
Thursday 27 March 2025
A WellSouth evaluation report reveals that the Comprehensive Primary & Community Care Teams (CPCT) programme is helping more high-risk people in communities access necessary healthcare for free, with more than 500 patients a month accessing free care.
Here is a copy of the report.
CPCT, a national programme funded by Te...
Interns help PHO with Pasifika immunisation picture
Monday 03 March 2025Pacific communities in the South stand to benefit after WellSouth Primary Health Network hosted two Pasifika health students to explore barriers to getting childhood immunisations.
The students, Ilaisaane Kaufanga (Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy, Auckland University of Technology) and Sylvia Pritchard (Bachelor of Nursing, Otago Polytechnic), were based at the local...
WellSouth board seeking General Practitioner Representative Trustee
Friday 28 February 2025General Practitioner Representative Trustee
Make a difference: help govern WellSouth Primary Health Network to improve health outcomes for people in the Southern region.
Nominations are now open for a general practitioner to fulfil the responsibilities of Trustee on WellSouth’s Board from May 2025 for a four year term.
WellSouth Primary Health Network is...
Our statement on New Dunedin Hospital
Tuesday 11 February 2025WellSouth Primary Health Network CEO Andrew Swanson-Dobbs says that while WellSouth has welcomed the government's confirmation that the new Dunedin Hospital will proceed, a building is only one part of a successful healthcare system.
“Investment in a building is critical. However, bricks and mortar are only part of the system; the...
WellSouth to improve breast screening as the breast screen bus hits the South
Tuesday 14 January 2025As the breast screening bus starts its Southern tour today starting in Oamaru, WellSouth, the Primary Health Organisation for Otago and Southland, is tasked with getting more wāhine to the bus and improve breast check rates for women in Southern. Since October 2024, and for the first time, WellSouth...
General practice staff burning out
Monday 13 January 2025Doctors, nurses and other general practice staff are still suffering burn out, WellSouth can reveal, following a second general practice survey. This, as many general practice medical centres in popular tourism destinations across Otago and Southland gear up for a busy summer.
WellSouth Primary Health Network, the primary health organisation...
Find the right care when things go wrong
Wednesday 08 January 2025Still on holiday?
WellSouth Primary Health Network – with more than 70 general practices in Southland and Otago – has advice on where to get help when you need it.
Dr Carol Atmore, Clinical Director at WellSouth, says every year, medical centres in tourism hot spots work very hard to...
Pasifika and Māori medical scholarships awarded
Monday 25 November 2024The annual WellSouth Primary Care General Practice Award has been given to top-achieving Pasifika and Māori final year Medical Students in General Practice last week.
The recipients are Māori student Logan Murray and Pasifika student Christine Peters. Each received a $2,000 dollar scholarship at the Te Kura Whaiora A Ōtepoti University...
Primary care surveys show lack of funding and workforce as key pressures
Monday 18 November 2024Primary care surveys show lack of funding and workforce as key pressures
Surveying primary care providers in Otago and Southland shows general practices and their staff have continued concerns about capacity, workforce and remaining financially sustainable, but that overall, staff morale is positive.
WellSouth Primary Health Network, the primary health organisation (PHO)...