Delivering Expert Rural Care
As Clinical Director at Dunstan Hospital, Dr Jonathon Wills has seen first-hand how vital local healthcare is for the people of Central Otago and the Upper Clutha. For more than a century, Dunstan has stood as a community-owned hospital, providing exceptional, personal care to generations of families. Today, as the region grows faster than ever before, Dr Wills is leading efforts to ensure the hospital continues to meet that demand, offering the highest level of care right here at home.
Dunstan Hospital has been the heart of health care in our region for over 100 years. We’re proud to look after around 93 percent of the patients who come through our doors locally. That means most people receive their full episode of care right here saving them the stress, cost, and disruption of travelling outside the district for treatment.
Being able to access hospital-level care close to home makes a huge difference to patients and their families. They’re surrounded by familiar faces, community support, and loved ones who can visit easily something that’s crucial to wellbeing and recovery.
But as our region grows, so does the demand on our services. Dunstan was originally designed for a much smaller population, and health planning hasn’t always kept pace with Central Otago’s rapid growth. We’re now seeing higher patient volumes and increasingly complex cases, stretching our capacity across the hospital.
There are many illnesses where time is critical. Having a local hospital that can deliver care immediately prevents deterioration and saves lives. Yet while the government funds essential services, there’s a clear gap between baseline and excellence. Our goal is to close that gap—to deliver the very best care possible, right here in our community. Achieving that takes both investment and community support.
One of our most pressing needs is the assessment area at the hospital’s front door where acutely unwell patients first arrive. Currently, we have only two beds in that space, and our nursing team performs constant juggling to manage patient flow. We urgently need more room to meet the volume of patients we’re now seeing.
At the same time, our chemotherapy and day-stay unit has outgrown its current space. The team delivers exceptional cancer care close to home, but they’re working in tight conditions. Our redevelopment plan would see a new, purpose-built chemo suite established, freeing up the current area to expand our assessment space addressing two major pressure points at once.
Community donations through the Dunstan Hospital Foundation make these improvements possible. They help us move beyond basic service provision, creating comfortable, modern, and patient-centred spaces. They also allow us to invest in better technology and equipment that enhance care and make the hospital experience more seamless and reassuring for patients.
Looking ahead 10 to 20 years, we expect the region’s population to keep growing, which will demand a wider range of local services. We see Dunstan playing a key role in a regional network of care, working alongside partners across the Queenstown Lakes and wider Central Otago area. Ideally, that future will include surgical and operative capabilities so more people can receive comprehensive treatment without leaving the district.
As doctors, our days are full, but when we have time to reflect, we see the potential. With the right environment and resources, we can make every patient’s experience smoother and less stressful. Coming to hospital is rarely easy, our job is to make it as comfortable and dignified as possible.
Because at the end of the day, when you’re unwell, you want to be at home. You don’t want to travel to an unfamiliar city, stay in a motel, or be separated from your support network. Having care close to home where family can visit and you can recover in your own surroundings makes an enormous psychological difference.
Every appointment, every infusion, every visit that can happen locally is a win for our patients and our region. Studies show a “free” outpatient appointment in the city can cost families up to $700 once travel, accommodation, and lost time are factored in. Keeping those services here removes that burden entirely.
Help Us Keep Care Close to Home
As a community-owned trust, Dunstan Hospital belongs to the people it serves. Through the Dunstan Hospital Foundation, every donation, big or small, helps ensure care remains local. Your support enables facility upgrades, advanced equipment, and the kind of environment where patients feel truly cared for.
Together, we can make sure the people of Central Otago continue to receive exceptional care, close to the comfort and connection of home. Donate Today.
