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.
Health Improvement Practitioner has a big impact in a short time
Wednesday 21 April 2021There’s no doubt that WellSouth Health Improvement Practitioner, Rachael Bentley, is a welcome addition to the practice team in East Otago Health. Just weeks after joining the staff at the busy Palmerston general practice, a common refrain from the nurses and doctors is now: “Come, let’s go see Rachael.” ...
Southern general practices keen to be part of the COVID-19 vaccine programme: WellSouth survey
Thursday 08 April 2021General practices across the Southern region want to help deliver COVID-19 vaccinations to patients and whānau, according to a survey of practice staff in Otago and Southland. WellSouth Primary Health Network surveyed practice teams on their views of the rollout in Southern, asking if they want to be involved...
Renewed partnership between Southern rūnaka and health authorities underscores shared dedication to equity
Monday 15 March 2021An agreement that provides the foundation for bringing the health aspirations of Māori to life in Southern New Zealand is being formalised today.The signing of the partnership agreement at Ōtākou marae renews the relationship between the district’s core health administration bodies, Southern DHB and WellSouth PHN, and the Murihiku and...
Trainee GPs begin training programme in Southern
Sunday 28 February 2021February marks the start of the new academic year for the RNZCGPs, three-year General Practice Education Programme (GPEP), with 14 doctors choosing Otago and Southland for their regional scheme. This year’s training began with two days of training (and an overnight) at Puketeraki Marae in Karitane, where the Southern Māori...
WellSouth launching new primary care service in Invercargill
Monday 15 February 2021WellSouth launching new primary care service in Invercargill Supporting general practices, their patients and whānau in Invercargill, WellSouth is launching a new primary care service for unenrolled patients. WellSouth’s board of trustees made the resolution at its February meeting, asking the WellSouth management team to introduce...
Long-term conditions programme helps patient be more involved in own health care
Thursday 24 December 2020Retired serviceman Hemi Martin is not one who wants any added attention, but the extra support and care he receives thanks to the long-term condition programme CLIC may just be an exception to the rule for the 67-year-old Invercargill resident.A central part of CLIC (Client Led Integrated Care) is one-hour...
10 Practices Join the Health Care Home Programme
Wednesday 23 December 2020Over 53,000 more patients in the Southern region are set to benefit from the Southern Health Care Home programme, as 10 new general practices sign on. They will join the 115,000 patients and 14 practices already in Health Care Home.
Aurora Health Centre in Dunedin and Central Medical Oamaru, along...
WellSouth call centre supporting general practices to meet smoking cessation targets
Tuesday 15 December 2020Working on behalf of general practices in its primary health network, WellSouth is reaching out to patients who smoke, offering them advice and support to quit.“We all recognize that stopping smoking is the best thing people can do for their health, but it is not easy and it’s understandable that...
Clutha Health First ramps up patient portal use
Monday 14 December 2020More hard-work than hard-sell, Clutha Health First used a simple but effective approach to growing patient portal usage, adding more than 1,200 new registrations in July alone.The Balclutha-based Health Care Home general practice now has 3,545 of its approximately 8,300 patients signed up for patient portals – more than 52%...
Perseverance despite a pandemic: WellSouth Annual Report 2020
Thursday 12 November 2020COVID-19 features large, but WellSouth Primary Health Network and general practice have made progress supporting primary health care in the South during 2020.Perseverance despite a pandemic could be the theme of WellSouth’s Annual Report 2020, with the primary health network moving forward in a number of key areas...