Wanaka GP joins board of WellSouth, primary health network
Wanaka GP joins board of WellSouth, primary health network
Wanaka and the Central Otago region have a stronger voice in primary health care services in the district, as Dr Susie Meyer joins the board of WellSouth primary health network.
“I want to look at health issues in a broader perspective,” says Dr Meyer, who stepped down as director and GP at Aspiring Medical Centre earlier this year, after nearly 25 years with the practice.
“I want to focus on teaching and contribute to primary care at a governance level. In my role as a WellSouth board member, I hope to promote ongoing and positive communication between governance and clinical groups.”
An outdoor enthusiast originally from the US, Dr Meyer did her medical training at University of Auckland before settling in Wanaka. She appreciated both the clinical and business sides of working in general practice and counts treating minor traumas and teaching and communications skills as areas of special interest.
Aside from here WellSouth board duties, Dr Meyer is teaching in GPEP2/3 programme for the RNZCGP. She’s previously served on advisory boards with the RNZCGP and the Central Lake Health network.
WellSouth chairman Dr Doug Hill says Dr Meyer will be an asset to the board: “Access to services in remote and rural areas, transportation and future workforce issues are items that are continually on our radar and Susie’s experience means she has valuable insight. We all look forward to benefiting from her years of expertise working in general practice in Wanaka.”
The implementation of the Southern district’s Primary and Community Care Strategy means it is a particularly interesting time to work in primary care, Dr Meyer says: “Practitioners are boldly stepping up to new ideas and the workforce is flexible and able to adapt to change. I think that there is a strong will to make this work, which is essential, and I believe the primary health network’s ability to offer support and listen to clinical feedback will be a key to the success of the strategy.”
About WellSouth
WellSouth is the primary health network for the Southern district, responsible for the delivery primary health care, supporting general practice teams and improving health outcomes in Otago and Southland.