The South Otago Health Support Trust

The Vision

For several years the Balclutha Public Health Nurses were aware that their colleagues in Oamaru were able to access a health support trust for financial assistance for their clients. This financial assistance involved having doctor consultation and pharmacy fees paid for on behalf of their clients who are unable to afford these services.

It became more apparent during 2011/2012 financial constraints on families living in the Clutha District, which is also being experienced nationally and globally due to an economic recession. The Public Health Nurses and other health providers were aware of clients unable to afford to access medical services and counselling etc.

In January 2012 Raewyn Snell Public Health Nurse contacted Anne Wilkinson from the North Otago Health Support Service to enquire how they operate their service. This group is linked to the Oamaru Combined Churches Outreach. Raewyn arranged to meet with the Clutha Ministers Association in March 2012 to discuss the vision she had to set up a similar service in South Otago and outline what was currently occurring in North Otago. Raewyn discussed the need for a small committee to be formed consisting of people with an appropriate skill mix such as the ability to complete applications for funding and secure funding, process invoices and manage funds.

Our Location

The South Otago Health Support Trust (SOHST) is located in Balclutha.   Balclutha is a rural town in Otago and lies towards the end of the Clutha River on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is about halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill and has a population of 4062.