Hayley Anderson, Chief Executive of Central Otago Health Services Limited (COHSL), delivered an interesting and thought-provoking talk on rural health issues in our area.Hayley was born at Clyde Hospital and grew up in Lett’s Gully. She left home to undertake nursing training in Christchurch and has since pursued a career in health leadership and management, mainly in the Hawke’s Bay. Returning to Clyde has now brought her full circle.
Hayley spoke of Dunstan Hospital in positive terms, in particular its clinical expertise with committed rural specialists and its highly skilled executive leadership team. She noted that COHSL do not own the hospital nor the grounds.
However, the need in our region is increasing rapidly. Over the past year, there has been a 17% increase in in-patient admissions and in chemotherapy patients, and the lack of an Emergency Department is obviously a gap in what they can offer. Eighty- five percent of patients admitted are managed at Dunstan (not needing to be transferred) and the average inpatient stay is two days.
Hayley considers that, overall, COHSL is incredibly lucky – they have fantastic staff and experienced leadership - but they need to be at the table for any discussions and decisions on the future of health services in Central Otago.
