Board Chair Report

PETER TOWNSEND

I must begin this report by congratulating Pegasus member practices and Pegasus staff for the outstanding and selfless work undertaken during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We are well-served by the role that primary care plays in the Canterbury health system and the quickness of our COVID-19 response demonstrates that primary care remains the foundation on which the health system sits.

Recent months have signaled uncertainty for primary health and Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), with the release of the Health and Disability Review and major changes and upheaval in the leadership of Canterbury District Health Board.

The programmes that Pegasus runs make a real difference to the lives of Cantabrians and help ensure people do not needlessly end up in expensive hospital beds.

Our acute care programme and 24 Hour Surgery are vital to keeping people away from the Emergency Department and hospital admission. We have an opportunity to demonstrate the exemplar models which Pegasus operates and continues to build.

These models are a sustainable solution to take the load off secondary care and off DHB finances. They are more patient-focused and lead to better outcomes for patients.

Right now, there is an opportunity to look at the South Island health system as a whole and to ensure that a focus on primary care and public health continues to map the way forward. I would like to thank deputy board chairs Simon Wynn Thomas and Caroline Christie, and our hard working Board members. I would also like to thank Pegasus CEO Vince Barry for his leadership, the Pegasus Team for delivering to our members, and the people of Canterbury at a difficult time. I would also like to acknowledge my appreciation of the support we continue to receive from the wider Pegasus family.

Peter Townsend

Chair

“We are well-placed to show that a focus on primary and community care is vital for wellness and for an efficient, patientcentred health system.”

Peter Townsend

Photo above: Pegasus Health Charitable Ltd Board. Back row from left: Vanessa Weemink, Simon Wynn Thomas, Peter Townsend, Ben Kepes. Seated from left: Nicky Scott, Ben Hudson, Caroline Christie, Brett Chambers, Sharon Ashmore. Absent: Gayle O’Duffy, Jane Huria.

Left: Pegasus Health Board Chair, Peter Townsend