About us
As a District Health Board we provide high-quality primary care services from 13 different locations (including ownership of most general practices on the Coast) and a wide range of secondary care services from our secondary care hospital in Greymouth.
Location
The West Coast of the South Island extends through a narrow strip of land the length of the distance between Auckland and Wellington, with a population of just 32,000 – a population density of only 10% of the New Zealand average. Amazingly, this means that we service the largest geographical area in New Zealand!
Hospitals
Grey Hospital is the base hospital for the area with 100 beds. It is situated in Greymouth, the largest urban area on the coast. Based at the hospital are resident specialists providing care in general medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, geriatrics and anaesthetics. Visiting specialists offer care and support in other specialities. The two smaller outlying hospitals in Westport and Reefton offer geriatric and obstetric inpatient care and care for a small number of medical and surgical patients.
Benefits
We can offer you:
- Challenging and interesting work in a supportive environment
- Competitive remuneration and flexible working hours
- Opportunity and encouragement for internal and external training
- A child-friendly workplace close to schools and amenities
- Hassle-free parking.
And when you’re not working we can offer you paradise as your playground!
Culture
We are innovative because we have to be. And, just like you, we are all about getting the job done. A collaborative, relaxed but professional approach is our focus. An example of this approach was demonstrated through the winning of the Excellence in Process Improvement Award at a recent gala evening jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and ACC.
The awards celebrate innovative thinking and, often, life changing developments in the health field. Alternative Pathways for New Patients has cut waiting times for those with suspected colorectal cancer that need a colonoscopy by almost three months, and for patients needing cataract surgery by nine months. The scheme has not only dramatically reduced waiting time for patients but has also increased efficiencies in both services.
The project is part of a plan to investigate improvements in the patient journey through the healthcare system on the West Coast. Schemes such as the Alternative Pathways for New Patient are important developments as we plan to provide sustainable healthcare services into the future.
Being rural doesn’t make us any less professional or resourced than any of the larger health providers. Most importantly however, at the West Coast District Health Board we nurture an environment where you have the technology and resources to learn, the professional support to grow, and the ability to really make a difference within your community.
