Extended after-hours healthcare service a major step forward for Selwyn

Selwyn residents will soon have greater access to healthcare closer to home, with extended after-hours services set to be provided from the Phoenix Health Hub at Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub in Rolleston.

Mayor Lydia Gliddon said today's announcement by Health Minister Simeon Brown was a significant milestone for Selwyn and reflected years of advocacy, planning and investment to improve access to healthcare closer to home.

"This is fantastic news for Selwyn residents. Access to healthcare is one of the issues we hear about most often from our community, and this service will make a real difference for families across the district."

The service will open from Saturday, operating from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays and from 9am to 5pm on weekends and public holidays.

Patients will pay a fee, although the service is subsidised through the Government’s urgent and after-hours funding.

Mayor Gliddon said the extended after-hours service built on the vision of previous councils that championed the development of Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub.

"I want to acknowledge the foresight of former councillors who recognised that a rapidly growing district needed better local health infrastructure and invested in making Toka Hāpai a reality."

"At the time, it was a bold investment, but today we're seeing the benefits. More health services are choosing to locate here and our residents are gaining access to care closer to where they live."

The Mayor also thanked the Minister of Health and Selwyn MP and Minister Nicola Grigg for recognising the need for additional healthcare services in the district.

"We appreciate the support shown by central government and Minister Grigg's ongoing advocacy for Selwyn. This announcement recognises what our community has been saying for some time. As Selwyn continues to grow, our health services must grow too."

The Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub was built by Selwyn District Council to increase local health capacity as the district grows, and currently hosts a range of health services including maternity care, radiology, physiotherapy and general practice services.

Mayor Gliddon said the benefits of an after-hours service would be felt well beyond Rolleston.

"While Rolleston is expected to achieve city status within the next decade, this service is just as important for residents in our rural communities."

"A parent in Darfield with a child suffering an ear infection late in the evening, an elderly resident from Leeston needing urgent medical attention, or a family from Southbridge with a child who has a suspected fracture will have another option much closer to home."

"Too often people have had to travel into Christchurch for care that couldn't wait until the next day. Having more services available locally means less time on the road and more timely access to treatment."

The announcement comes as Selwyn continues to be one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts, with significant population growth creating increasing demand for local services and infrastructure. The Council has also recently signalled its intention to become a unitary authority, reflecting the district's maturity and growing capacity to deliver services locally.

"Healthcare is a fundamental service. As our population grows, we need infrastructure and services that keep pace with that growth," Mayor Gliddon said.

"This announcement is another important step in ensuring Selwyn residents can access the services they need, when they need them, close to home."