Former WellSouth primary care relationship manager Nick Taylor has been appointed as the Wellsouth primary health network integration manager, primary and community services for the new Dunedin hospital.
The new role was funded entirely by WellSouth and will involve working alongside both WellSouth and Health New Zealand (HNZ) to give primary care a voice as the hospital develops.
It would focus on bridging gaps between primary and secondary care, and advocating for primary care as key to the system working seamlessly.
Mr Taylor said he was excited to be part of the "sea of change" for Dunedin and advocating for the role of primary care.
He met colleagues and HNZ Southern last week.
"While the building is designed to be fit for purpose, it’s the whole healthcare system here that needs to be fit for our people."
He said the best value needed to be taken out of the once-in-decades investment the new hospital was.
"We need to ... ensure sustainable, appropriate care for people, avoiding the overload and pressures that we see now."
WellSouth chief executive officer Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said he had been vocal about the need for an integrated approach for the new Dunedin hospital.
"From the start of this project, the success of the hospital was predicated on less hospital use and more care in primary care. We must not lose sight of this.
He said primary care would reduce hospital demand through early intervention, chronic disease management, and proactive care.
"Equally, for those who are discharged from hospital, general practice, primary care nursing, and community-based services are critical to recovery.
"[Mr Taylor’s] role ensures we keep sight of this approach, keep the vision wider than secondary care."
He said this was not just a new building, but an opportunity to get a-whole-of-system, integrated approach right for the future of Otago.
"[Mr Taylor’s] background in working predominantly with general practices puts him in an advantageous position to truly understand primary care pressures and pathways," Mr Swanson-Dobbs said. — APL
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