Health & Wellbeing
Gore Health has launched a $6 million fundraising campaign to expand its Emergency Department and General Practice facilities at Gore Hospital.
The community-owned, not-for-profit provider is seeking support from local residents, businesses, philanthropic organisations and funding partners. The hospital serves approximately 20,000 people across Gore, West Otago and surrounding districts. Its ED runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In June 2026, the hospital recorded more than 1,000 ED presentations in a single month.
Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler said the project represents a significant investment in the future of healthcare across Eastern Southland.
"This hospital exists today because generations before us recognised the importance of having quality healthcare close to home and fought to make that happen.
"Now it's our turn to build on that legacy. We have a responsibility to ensure our facilities can continue to meet the needs of our community, not just today, but for the next 25 years and beyond."
The proposed development includes extensive alterations and an extension to the existing ED, a new GP wing extension and additional car parking. ED plans cover approximately 338sqm of alterations to existing facilities and a further 118sqm of new space. The new space allows for improvements to patient assessment and treatment areas, reception and waiting facilities, and ambulance access. The GP development will add approximately 388sqm, including new consultation rooms and supporting clinical facilities.
Metzler said the expansion is about providing an environment that supports both patients and the healthcare professionals who care for them.
"Our clinical teams do an outstanding job with the facilities they have, but the demands on healthcare have changed considerably over the years.
"This development will allow us to improve the way patients move through our services, provide more appropriate spaces for treatment and give our staff the facilities they need to continue delivering high-quality care."
Gore Hospital opened on Birch Lane in May 1999, following community campaigns during the 1980s and 1990s to retain hospital services locally.
The fundraising campaign will seek support through charitable grants, major funding partnerships, corporate sponsorships, community fundraising initiatives and individual donations and bequests.
"This is an important investment in the future of healthcare for our district, and one we believe our community and funding partners will recognise the value of," Metzler said. "We'll be reaching out to funding organisations, businesses and individuals who share our vision for the future of local healthcare. Every contribution, large or small, will help move us closer to making this project a reality."
Further details on the campaign, including opportunities for businesses and funding partners to get involved and community fundraising initiatives, will be announced in the coming months.