Health Minister Visits Invercargill Hospital to Address Local Health Needs

• Health Minister Shane Reti met with Invercargill Hospital staff to discuss Southland’s health concerns.
• Reti toured departments and heard about challenges facing staff and the local healthcare system.
• Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds emphasised the importance of the minister’s visit to address key issues.

Health Minister Shane Reti visited Invercargill today to meet with staff at Invercargill Hospital and discuss the region’s health challenges. During his visit, Dr Reti spoke with hospital staff and clinicians to understand what further support is needed from Wellington.

“I’m here to understand how we can do more, what areas need particular support from Wellington and what issues we should pay attention to,” said Dr Reti.

The minister toured various hospital departments, including the Emergency Department, Coronary Care Unit, and Theatre, where he met with staff and observed their work firsthand.

“The staff are wonderful. They are working so hard. They’re dedicated and they’re providing a great service, and excellent care, for the people of Southland,” he remarked. “I back them and this Government backs them.”

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds, who accompanied Dr Reti during the visit, noted the significance of having the Health Minister present to observe the hospital’s needs firsthand.

“I’ve been talking with the minister over time about health issues at our hospital, including the shortage of theatre space, so it’s been great to have him here to see things firsthand,” said Simmonds. “I was very proud of the staff today – they were amazing in communicating their needs, and I think they appreciated meeting with a health minister who really does have experience of health from a practical perspective.”