Extended Primary Care
An evaluation of Extended Primary Care
Published July 2025
Extended Primary Care (EPC) is a primary care-based programme delivered by WellSouth and funded by Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora.
EPC was made available to general practices in Southern in August 2024. It includes two distinct pathways: a rural stabilisation pathway and an acute care pathway.
The acute care pathway enables general practices to manage a range of acute conditions within the primary care setting, with the intention to reduce the need for hospital care when it is safe to do so.
The rural stabilisation pathway, available only to rural practices, is intended to fund the observation and management of patients while they await ambulance transfer, that has often been unfunded historically.
WellSouth’s Senior Leadership Team requested this evaluation to support WellSouth’s ongoing refinement of EPC, particularly related to General Practices’ uptake of the programme, how best to manage the funding allocation, and understanding the impact EPC is having on patients, general practices, and the wider health system.
An evaluation of Extended Primary Care (PDF)
EPC Poster - Click to enlarge
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Take Control of your Diabetes
An Evaluation of WellSouth’s Diabetes Education Programme –
Take Control Of Your Diabetes (TCOYD)
29 July 2025
WellSouth developed TCOYD, a 2-hour peer group workshop delivered in a community setting that provides information and advice regarding diabetes. TCOYD kōrero focuses on what diabetes is, signs and symptoms of diabetes, and complications from poorly controlled diabetes. This evaluation was requested to determine the effectiveness of TCOYD as a diabetes programme. Specifically, whether the impacts of TCOYD were experienced equitably, in line with WellSouth’s commitment to Te Tiriti, and meeting the needs of priority populations.
The Evaluation of WellSouth’s Diabetes Education Programme (PDF)
TCOYD Poster - Click to enlarge
CPCT Evaluation
WellSouth CPCT Evaluation Report Part One
Published April 2025
Comprehensive Primary and Community Care Teams (CPCT) is an initiative funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora that aims to improve healthcare in the community by incorporating additional roles with different skills. Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) across the country were responsible for getting these new teams up and running in their district. Each PHO could choose how to set up and manage the teams to best meet the needs of their local communities.
WellSouth CPCT Evaluation Report Part One (PDF)
CPCT Evaluation Report Part One Plain Language Summary (PDF)
CPCT Poster Part One - Click to enlarge
CPCT Evaluation Report Part Two: Delivery and Outcomes
Published July 2025
Our Quality Improvement Research and Evaluation Team (QIRE) has completed part two of WellSouth’s CPCT evaluating the outcomes and delivery of the programme.
The results are good.
CPCT is shown to support long-term condition management and increase quality of care, with Māori, Pacific, rural, and disabled communities engaging well and reporting feeling more supported, better informed, and more connected.
The CPCT programme, led by WellSouth across Otago and Southland, has supported more than 6,600 individuals in its first year, with Māori and Pacific Peoples engaging at significantly higher rates.
Some of the report highlights show improved medication safety, reduced social isolation, independence at home, as well as higher rates of immunisations, cardiovascular risk assessments and diabetes reviews.
General practices report improved capacity and capability through additional roles and shared learning as well as improvements in clinical indicators and referral pathways.
Overall, the evaluation found that CPCT is highly valued by consumers and clinicians and at a broader level, it is making a meaningful difference to the health system.
CPCT Evaluation Report Part Two Summary Report (PDF)
CPCT Part Two Poster - Click to enlarge