Chairman Dr Conway Powell said an article in Tuesday's Otago Daily Times appeared to suggest the 2011-12 clinical programme was solely for Maori, Pacific Islanders, and those living in deprived socio-economic areas.
Funding worth $850,000 known as "Services to Improve Access" would go on those "high-needs" groups, but the PHO had $3.1 million in other funding for use for all enrolled patients in Otago and Southland, Dr Powell said.
The article also noted some Dunedin GPs' objection to dropping long-term support for patients with chronic conditions.
Stated in the PHO's clinical programme proposal is that the $2.5 million "CarePlus" funding will be used for an "intensive 12-month period" and not longer.
Dr Powell said it was wrong to highlight the "short-term" nature of "CarePlus", because for many patients with chronic conditions the treatment they received through that funding would be part of the "continuing care" they received throughout their life.
