Melissa Vining was the driver behind getting the Southern Charity Hospital opened on February 28, 2025.
Saturday marked one year to the day that the ribbon was cut, and the Southern Charity Hospital opened.
It had taken a Herculean community effort to transform a neighbourhood local pub – The Clifton Club Inn – into a new community hospital.
It was six years of hard work, which included a $6m community fundraising drive.
The driver behind the project – Melissa Vining – felt successive Governments had failed New Zealanders, and the Southern Charity Hospital was about the Southland community stepping in.
The project naturally sparked multiple headlines through the fundraising effort, the build, and then the opening.
Following that, the headlines have reduced somewhat, but the work behind the scenes has continued.
From March 2025 to February 2026, this is what has played out at the Southern Charity Hospital:
69 endoscopy procedures (colonoscopies)
35 dental procedures
Support from five visiting clinicians performing colonoscopy services: Dr Frank Frizelle, Dr Avinesh Kumar, Dr Samuel Pau, Dr Jagdish Prasad, Dr Nigel Henderson
Support from 10 volunteer nurses assisting with colonoscopy services
Support from three volunteer dentists providing dental procedures: Kate Cunningham, Nicholas Truman, Yvette Kim.
In addition, 37 volunteers have completed credentialling and are available to provide medical and dental services to patients across Southland and Otago.
Twelve new endoscopists, four new endoscopy nurses, and two new dentists have expressed interest in volunteering in the coming months.
Vining said reaching the one-year milestone was an emotional one.
“One year on from opening our doors, what stands out most is that we are now doing what this hospital was built to do – helping people,” Vining said.
“Every clinic day, every volunteer, and every patient cared for is proof of what a community can achieve when it comes together for a cause bigger than itself.”
“This hospital was born out of a need for fairer access to care in the south. To see colonoscopy and dental services now being delivered, and to know more volunteers and clinics are on the way, is incredibly encouraging.
“We’re proud of what has been achieved in year one, and we know this is only the beginning.”
Vining was incredibly grateful for the relationship it has with Te Whatu Ora Southern.
“It’s been a genuinely successful first year working closely together to deliver better patient outcomes, and I’m particularly proud that our consult rooms have supported paediatric outpatient clinics to continue for local families.”
Over the coming year, Southern Charity Hospital intends to further increase activity, moving from occasional clinics to a more consistent rhythm.
Ten additional colonoscopy clinic days and three additional dental clinic days have already been confirmed, and the hospital is focused on growing momentum in a way that is sustainable for volunteers and is meaningful for patients.
The hospital is also preparing for future expansion, with carpal tunnel surgery identified as a priority next service.
Over the 2026-2027 financial year, the hospital is working toward delivering 500 endoscopy procedures (including colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopies), 100 dental procedures, and 60 carpal tunnel procedures.
To enable that growth, the Southern Charity Hospital aims to have credentialled volunteers in place across key roles, including 12 doctors (endoscopists, orthopaedic surgeons and other specialists), 36 nurses (endoscopy, theatre, admitting, PACU and related areas), 10 dentists/dental assistants, and 18 other essential support roles such as scope and sterilisation technicians.
On top Southern Charity Hospital has continued to gain support from donors, community organisations, and partne supporters to be able to operate over the past 12 months.
Notable support has included:
Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) – providing $10,000 worth of accommodation for travelling doctors and nurses.
Barry Owen Trust – $112,300 for equipment purchases to expand services
The Stewart Family Trust – $25,000 to support operating costs
PH Vickery Trust – $25,000 to support operating costs
PGG Wrightson Wool – partnership on the Wool For Good fundraising campaign to support free medical procedures and volunteer transport support
New Zealand Freemason Southern Region No. 9 and the Freemasons Charity – $41,636 supporting costs for the colonoscopy service
Southern Charity Hospital chairman Chris Menzies said the hospital’s first year demonstrated the strength of the model and the generosity behind it.
“In our first year, we have moved from vision to delivery — establishing services, building clinical capability, and creating a strong foundation for future growth.”
“This progress has only been possible because of the extraordinary contribution of our volunteers, clinicians, donors, funders, and partners. We are grateful for that support, and we remain focused on responsibly growing the hospital’s services so more southern patients can access timely care.”