Three of the Southern Primary Health Organisation's clinical programmes have been approved, almost two months after they were supposed to start.
PHO chief executive Ian Macara said yesterday the sexual health, diabetes and cardiovascular risk programmes had been signed off by the Southern District Health Board.
He described the announcement as a milestone for the new PHO, with its programmes available equitably across the region.
"As an example, the successful sexual health programme that previously was not available to the 19,000 patients of the Oamaru region is now modified and available to patients requiring this service."
The sexual health programme has been contentious, with concerns raised about it being less generous than what was offered previously in some places.
Mr Macara said the proposed programme had been altered after consultation and would be available up to the age of 50 for patients considered high needs, rather than to the age of 45.
Also, Maori health service providers were specified as the key deliverers of the sexual health programme for Maori.
Changes had also been made to the diabetes and cardiovascular risk programmes, with the first consultation for identified patients to be more detailed, including a comprehensive focus on lifestyle and cause factors.
The diabetes programme would also use the recently released Ministry of Health guidelines on the management of Type 2 diabetes.
Mr Macara said the other programmes in the plan were being developed and would be "introduced as soon as possible in a phased manner".
Further detailed planning, especially with the district health board's clinical staff, was needed to ensure continuity of care for patients was achieved, he said.
