Oamaru Hospital transfers to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Published on 01 July 2024
Today Oamaru Hospital transferred from Waitaki District Health Services Ltd (WDHSL) to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora after 25 years of local ownership.
The agreement of 100% of staff to transfer from WDHSL to Health NZ has ensured that the transition of operational control will be a seamless experience for hospital users. Waitaki District Council would like to thank Keith Marshall, Chair of WDHSL’s board and the board members, as well as Andrea Cairns and Hugh Kettlewell, co-CEO’s of the Oamaru Hospital. Their leadership efforts in ensuring the Waitaki District retained a hospital, and supporting the transfer, have been invaluable to the community.
Chief Executive Alex Parmley says: “Ensuring that hospital staff were looked after and that services would not be affected were important outcomes for our community. With the transfer today, we’ve ensured a sustainable future for the Oamaru Hospital.”
Mayor Gary Kircher says: “Today’s transfer is bittersweet, and it’s a good time to recognise the many, many people who served the community at Oamaru Hospital over the last 25 years. Thanks to them, and to the hospital staff and management who continue to provide essential services for the Waitaki District.”
Hamish Brown, Southern Group Director Operations for Health NZ, says today has been significant for staff as they moved under the umbrella of the national health system. “This is a big change for everyone but I thank the staff and leadership of WDHSL for working with us to make this a seamless transition for the Waitaki community.”
“Health NZ is also committed to working with the community, the Waitaki District Council, and other stakeholders to achieve better health service access and outcomes for the Waitaki community through the Te Waka Hauora o Waitaki Health Futures Project.”
As part of Council’s continuing relationship with Health NZ, Chief Executive Alex Parmley and Councillor Tim Blacker have been appointed by Council to the Te Waka Hauora o Waitaki Health Futures project, and will be involved in developing a better health care services model for the District.