Central Otago Health Inc has a new committee and constitution, made up of community representatives from each ward of the district.

In March the incorporated society decided to opt out of participating in local body elections - for the past 10-12 years the same members have been elected unopposed, and the group decided it was better to save money by appointing its own general membership.

“Historically it was the best way of doing it, but the community was paying for it,” Vincent representative and past chair Tracy Paterson said.

Chair Caroline Tamblyn told the Teviot Valley Community Board last week COHInc was not a governance group, but it provides a link between Dunstan Hospital and the community.

Responsible for finding additional money to help Central Otago Health Services Ltd, Caroline said many people weren't aware that Health NZ didn't fully fund its local hospital.

The board has to find an additional 10 percent of its funding locally, and this also includes for its hospital assets, such as a CT scanner and expanded secondary services.

“We never have any money to do what we want," she said, adding that actor Sam Neill’s recent $35,000 donation was an example of additional funding the group was grateful for.

Read more: Sir Sam Neill makes significant donation to Dunstan Hospital

The society held a Special General Meeting in July to attract new members, and when nobody new turned up, the existing members went out into their respective communities and started to shoulder tap people.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Tracy, who has been involved for the past 13 years, said.

COHInc is the sole shareholder of COHSL Ltd, which operates the hospital, and also appoints directors of the hospital board.

Dunstan Hospital has been operating in Central Otago since 1863, but during the 1990s the Otago District Health Board intended to close it. 

A compromise was reached to lease the hospital’s buildings to an operating company, and the hospital’s assets would be funded from the communities that Dunstan Hospital serves. 

COHInc formed in 2000 to retain ownership and management of those assets, and the hospital was extensively refurbished in 2005.

The new society is made up of Leigh Overton as the Wānaka-based representative and deputy chair, Rob Roy representing the Vincent ward, and Britta Christensen from Cromwell.

Dr Trevor Lloyd and Michelle Shaw join the society as elected health providers and Matt Fowler as the tangata whenua representative. 

Caroline said they were still looking for extra representation from Cromwell.

“At the end of the day we are here for the community, as an extra set of eyes overlooking things,” Tracy said.

New general members from the public were also welcome, with the AGM scheduled for November 11.

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