Providing as many health services as possible locally and minimising the need for patients to travel outside the area to access services is one of the main focuses for Dunstan Hospital's new general manager, Karyn Penno.
"That's the direction I'd like to go in. Research shows us that people recover better when they're surrounded by their family and friends and have that support," she said.
Ms Penno (44) took up the role of manager three weeks ago. She has lived in Cromwell since 2009 and has worked in the health sector for eight years.
Her most recent role before taking up the manager's job was as regional human resources manager for the Southern District Health Board. Initially, she was the organisational development manager for the Otago District Health Board, based in Dunedin, and was involved in the discussions about sharing services with the Southland District Health Board.
A vacancy came up in Invercargill as acting human resources director for the Southland board, so she took on that role as well, commuting between the two places.
"We'd been looking at what we could do to work more closely together and this was one way we could."
Being involved in the planning for the merger between the two boards was an interesting experience, she said.
"From a professional, technical point of view, it was fascinating and I love challenges and working out how to come up with innovative solutions."
It was difficult period of transition for the people involved but she believed the result was a good outcome for the region.
"Breaking down that arbitrary line between the districts and instead looking at what's best for the patients is an improvement.
"It will take a while to bed in and it's not a panacea for all health ills but there's a huge amount of promise and it will remove the duplication of services and give the ability to gain critical mass, to make sure we've got the best quality service."
The Southern District Health Board considered a National Health Board report last week on Wakatipu health services. It contained several references to Dunstan and Lakes District Hospital at Frankton working more closely together but Ms Penno said it was too soon for her to comment on the report.
Her new role was an exciting one, she said.
"There's so many opportunities to look at service planning and to use the programmes already in place, and to push to have as much care in the community as we can. And by delivering locally, I mean around Central Otago, in Ranfurly and in Wanaka, for example, as well as from the hospital. "
She is enjoying the "sense of family" at Dunstan.
"There's a real sense of belonging and family here and the staff described to me that when you're treating someone, you're dealing with friends of your family, or someone linked to you in some way, so there's always that sense of being connected. "
Ms Penno and her partner shifted to Cromwell two years ago after buying the Fusée Rouge cafe. Between them, the couple have five children, ranging in age from 13 years to 14 months.
Being part of the community and having a young family makes her more aware of the stresses on families when one of their members is ill.
"I know what it's like when you've got a sick child or a family member that's in hospital some distance away."
Ms Penno replaced Carol Horgan, who was manager for three years. Dr Horgan has moved to Christchurch.
Central Otago Health Services Ltd is the company that provides services from Dunstan Hospital and its chairman, Russell McGeorge, said he appreciated the work done by Dr Horgan.
"She forged particularly strong links with staff and between staff."
