Gayle Davidson

Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury

Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury serves about 55,000 people living in the beautiful region bounded by the grandeur of the Southern Alps to the west, the sparkling Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Rangitata and Waitaki rivers to the north and south. South Canterbury includes the main centre of Timaru, located approximately halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin on the South Island's east coast, and a number of picturesque towns and smaller rural settlements. As a part of Te Whatu Ora ( Health New Zealand) we have broad responsibilities for publicly-funded health and disability services, including providing and funding the delivery of services in the South Canterbury district. About half our budget is devoted to a range of primary health and disability support service providers like general practitioners, pharmacies, well child nurses, Maori health providers, dentists, community mental health, aged residential care facilities and home-based care providers. The other half of our budget funds the full range of secondary-level hospital services (including mental health) available through Timaru Hospital & Community Services. http://www.scdhb.health.nz