With a recently completed $2.5 million upgrade under its belt, Clutha Health First has reported a total surplus of nearly $300,000.
Clutha Health First is run by two parent companies which reported surpluses totalling $295,155.
Clutha Health Incorporated, which owns and manages the hospital buildings in Balclutha, reported an operating surplus of $238,622 for the year ending June 30, 2013, down on the previous year's surplus of $284,759.
Clutha Health First chief executive Ray Anton said the $2.5 million upgrade was a ''major redevelopment'' for the facility, and was a challenging period for patients, staff, and builders.
''Despite all this, we made it through with flying colours. Both patients and staff tolerated the disruptions and got on with the business of delivering and receiving health services.''
The hospital operator, Clutha Community Health Company Ltd, banked an operating surplus of $56,533, up from last year's $12,650 surplus.
Community Health chairman Brian Dodds said the surplus was ''satisfactory'' given the extra costs associated with the building redevelopment and the ''continued funding pressures'' within the health sector.
However, Mr Anton said the GP practice had generated a deficit of $125,400, and in a bid to break even, the company had a proposed fee increase before a regional review committee.
GP fees at Clutha Health First were the lowest in the Southern District Health Board region, and proposed increases would bring them into line with GP services in other parts of the region, also helping to break even, Mr Dodds said.
The Clutha hospital serves 17,000, with patients coming from as far away as Lawrence, Tuapeka and Tapanui.
Clutha Health Incorporated's annual meeting is at Rosebank Lodge at 7.30pm on November 20, when a public farewell will also be held for Dr Jim Collins.
