Lakes District Hospital Foundation

07/09/2026

When great care travels all the way home.

A Queenstown ski holiday didn’t quite go to plan for one of our Australian visitors, with fractured ribs and a punctured lung leading to an unexpected visit to Lakes District Hospital.

Once safely home, his ski mate got in touch with these lovely words, and a donation to the Lakes District Hospital Foundation as a way of saying thank you.

We’ll make sure their thanks are passed on to the Hospital ED team, whose care clearly made a lasting impression.

We are very grateful for the donation, which will help us continue to support Lakes District Hospital and the people who care for our community, locals and visitors alike.

A wonderful example of gratitude being paid forward.

28/08/2026

A little yellow flower. A lot of support.

On Daffodil Day, we acknowledge the incredible work of the Cancer Society Otago Southland here in Queenstown, supporting local people and their families through cancer.

We also see the impact of cancer within our hospital, where our nurses and wider healthcare team provide compassionate care to patients affected by cancer.

Today, we encourage our community to get behind Daffodil Day. Buy a daffodil, make a donation and help the Cancer Society continue its important work supporting people with cancer in our community.

And to all those caring for them - thank you. ⭐

www.daffodilday.org.nz

17/08/2026

From three to a team of 199!

In 1864, Dr James Douglas, Matron Mrs Cartwright and her husband (the wardsman) were among a very small team caring for patients at the very beginnings of Lakes District Hospital.

More than 160 years later, that commitment to caring for our community continues with 199 people now working across Lakes District Hospital and its allied services.

While medicine, technology and our community have changed enormously since these photos were taken, people remain at the heart of our hospital.

From 1864 to today, the staff are part of a remarkable history of care in our region.

You can read more about the history of the Lakes District Hospital here https://bit.ly/44YPsIw.

Thanks to Lakes District Museum for the photos

31/07/2026

160 years of caring for our community.

Long before Queenstown became an international destination, a small hospital was established in Frankton to care for miners during the gold rush.

Over the past 160 years, Lakes District Hospital has evolved alongside our community. Along the way, it has survived fire, served generations of local families, and tried to keep up with the needs of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing regions. The recent announcement of $180M for local healthcare services will create another chapter in this story.

We've brought together the history of the hospital, from its beginnings in 1863 through to the present day.

Whether you've been born here, cared for here, worked here or simply have an interest in local history, we invite you to read the story.

📖 Read the full history here: https://bit.ly/44YPsIw

If you have some history, photos or paintings of the hospital, or the wonderful staff who have worked here over the years that we could add to our story we would love to hear from you!

24/06/2026

A great explanation from primary care providers Queenstown Medical Centre about how to decide whether to go to a GP based accident and medical clinic or head to the hospital for more serious issues.

🚑 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧

Whether you’re a local, a seasonal worker, or visiting Queenstown, this guide helps you feel confident about where to go when you need same‑day medical care.

It covers how Urgent Care works at QMC, when it’s the right place to come, when the hospital is the better option, and how ACC supports you after an injury.

Read the full guide to understand your options and what to expect when you arrive. ⤵︎
https://www.qmc.co.nz/post/your-guide-to-urgent-care-in-queenstown

17/06/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we'd like to recognise the people who volunteer their time and expertise to guide the Lakes District Hospital Foundation.

Our trustees contribute their time and expertise to support the Foundation's work, helping to understand where generous donations can support patients, staff and healthcare services across the Lakes District.

The Foundation has achieved a great deal over the years, from supporting vital equipment like the CT Scanner, to facilities such as the whanau room. The Nurse Education fund ensures our nurses can continually develop their skills, and we have funded a number of simulator "patients" for staff training. None of this would be possible without the commitment of volunteers like our trustees working behind the scenes.

Thank you to our current - and past - trustees, and to the many volunteers across our community who give their time to support causes they care about.



Jon Bitcheno Dr David Hunt Jayne Macdonald Emily Nelson Kim Wilkinson Eunice Borrie

17/06/2026

Due a cervical screen? Free clinic at Lakes District Hospital this Saturday.

15/06/2026

Our trustees Jon Bitcheno and Euni Borrie caught up with Joseph Mooney last week to discuss healthcare in the Whakatip, and Central Lakes region.

Most important on the agenda was the $180 million announced by Health Minister Simeon Brown which will allow for an initial upgrade to our local hospital services, an increase in operational funding, and create a pathway for a new regional hospital. The funding will expand primary, diagnostic, maternity, obstetric and gynaecology, and outpatient services as well as mental health and addiction support.

We are very grateful for the work that has been done by Joseph, Glynn Lewers, Tamah Alley, Helen Foot PMP®, Tim Cadogen and others to have achieved this welcome outcome that will benefit our community in such a significant way.

As the Foundation that supports the Lakes District Hospital our goal is to support our current services and understand how we can work alongside these exciting new developments.

12/05/2026

Today we celebrate International Nurses Day and recognise the incredible nurses who care for our community every single day. 💙

At Lakes District Hospital Foundation, we see firsthand the dedication, compassion and skill our local nurses bring, which in a rural setting requires a broad level of nursing skill and can be very demanding.

We’re proud to support our nurses through the Staff Training and Education Fund, set up by a grateful patient, which contributes towards our local nurses training, professional development, and ongoing learning. This support helps ensure our nurses can continue to deliver high-quality care close to home, while growing their skills and confidence.

To all our nurses, thank you for the care you give, the difference you make, and the strength you bring to our community every day.

07/05/2026

Big news for healthcare in our region. 🏥

The Government has announced plans to significantly expand healthcare services across Wānaka, Cromwell, Queenstown and the wider Otago Central Lakes region which will bring more care closer to home for local families.

The proposed investment includes:
✔ Expanded primary and outpatient services
✔ Improved maternity, obstetric and gynaecology care
✔ More local diagnostic services, including MRI access
✔ Increased mental health and addiction support
✔ Upgrades to facilities and digital connections across the region

For many in our community, this could mean fewer long trips to Dunedin or Invercargill for appointments, scans and treatment, and a lot less stress for acute medical situations, and expectant mums.

At the Lakes District Hospital Foundation, we know how important accessible local healthcare is for the wellbeing of our growing community. We welcome the focus on ensuring healthcare keeps pace with the rapid growth of the Otago Central Lakes region and look forward to seeing how these plans develop.

This is an important step toward a healthier future for our region. 💙

You can read the press release and the full presentation here Simeon Brown MP

Planning is underway to expand locally delivered healthcare services for people living in Wānaka, Cromwell, Queenstown, and across the wider Otago Central Lakes area, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.