- The Southern Charity Hospital, inspired by Blair Vining, will officially open on 28 February.
- A community celebration will honour supporters and showcase the hospital’s impact on southern healthcare.
- The hospital will begin with colonoscopies, addressing urgent needs in bowel cancer diagnosis.
The long-awaited Southern Charity Hospital, the vision of the late Blair Vining, is now a reality. A formal celebration will be held on 28 February at the hospital’s premises on Wicklow Street, Invercargill, bringing together invited guests and the public to mark this significant milestone.
Blair Vining passed away in 2019 after a battle with bowel cancer. His fight for fairer cancer treatment in the south led to the creation of this charity hospital, which aims to provide timely access to diagnosis and treatment. Modelled on the successful Canterbury Charity Hospital, this new facility will be a lifeline for many in need.
“Six years and $6m later, we have ticked off Blair’s final bucket list wish,” said his wife, Melissa Vining.
The official opening will be led by Marjorie Cosgrove, along with her daughters Andrea de Vries and Paula Menzies, and Blair’s daughters Della-May and Lilly Vining. They will represent families who have lost loved ones due to disparities in healthcare access, an issue Blair campaigned passionately against.
Starting at 3pm, the celebration will feature speeches highlighting the project’s journey and achievements. Entertainment will be provided by Opshop lead singer and Southland native, Jason Kerrison.
“It’s a chance to thank the community for every donation and fundraiser, for every volunteer, tradesperson and media story, for the overwhelming support that has enabled us to build and equip the hospital,” Melissa Vining said.
Due to the large crowd expected at the event, physical tours of the facility will not be possible to protect the medical equipment. Instead, a virtual tour will be screened for attendees.
The hospital has been transformed from the ILT’s former Clifton Club Inn into a fully functioning medical facility, complete with a reception area, community room, operating theatre, recovery rooms, patient consulting spaces, and a dental practice.
ILT President Paddy O’Brien expressed pride in seeing the hospital come to life. “We were always motivated to find a way to make a significant contribution to such a worthy project, and gifting the Clifton tavern was our way to help kick-start the development. While we’ve repurposed buildings before, we recognised that this hospital would be a uniquely vital asset for our community,” he said.
“Missy and the Southern Charity Hospital team have done an outstanding job bringing this vision to life. It’s a huge project to undertake, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it become reality. We’re proud to have played a part in Blair’s legacy and to have supported this project from the start through to events like Pack the Park.”
A huge fundraising effort helped make this hospital a reality, including two Pack the Park rugby events at Rugby Park, an annual Red, Black and White Day, and the sale of 13,220 bricks and 678 plaques to supporters.
Following the opening, the hospital will begin by performing three to four colonoscopies per day, with plans to expand to eight daily procedures.
World-renowned surgeon Professor Frank Frizelle ONZM has committed to the hospital, joining Clinical Nurse Manager Andrew de Guzman, who was appointed in November.
Meanwhile, Southland’s healthcare system is set for another major boost with internationally acclaimed surgeon Dr Alex Morgan joining the region’s leading hospital. Known for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery, Dr Morgan’s arrival is expected to enhance specialist medical care in the area.
A recent case highlighted the need for such expertise, with a local patient requiring urgent intervention. “We were reminded how crucial it is to have world-class expertise available right when it’s needed most,” said Hospital CEO Linda Carter. “Dr Morgan’s arrival promises not only to elevate our clinical services but also to inspire confidence in our community.”
Dr Morgan shared his excitement about the move. “I am honoured to contribute to Southland’s health service. Bringing advanced surgical techniques to this region is a privilege, and I look forward to working alongside local teams to improve patient outcomes and push the boundaries of what’s possible in surgery.”
Local leaders have welcomed Dr Morgan’s appointment, viewing it as a significant step toward strengthening Southland’s healthcare system. His presence is expected to attract further investment and more top-tier medical professionals to the area.
With these advancements, Southland is set to enter a new era of improved medical care, ensuring that critical health services are readily available when needed most.