Minister of Health praises “innovative” Forté Hospital

Minister of Health Simeon Brown recently visited Forté Hospital, acknowledging the role the private sector plays in ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.

The Minister was in Christchurch visiting both public and private healthcare providers, seeking to understand the challenges and opportunities across all aspects of the health sector.

Forté Health CEO Michael Woodhouse welcomed the Minister and led him on a tour of Forté Hospital, including meeting frontline staff and seeing Forté’s new operating theatre.

The new operating theatre, which opened a few weeks ago, allows Forté to offer 1,800 more surgeries a year – a 25% increase on previous capacity.

“It was a proud moment for me and the wider Forté team to tour the Minister through our hospital and to hear him praise our modern, innovative facility.

“It was also a great opportunity to discuss with him the increasing demand for health services in Canterbury and Forté’s ideas around how we can support that growth through future expansion plans,” Michael says.

Michael believes its important for Members of Parliament from all sides of the political spectrum to connect with the communities they serve.

“We welcome local or national politicians from all sides to come and see what we’re doing at Forté Health and find out how we’re working alongside the public sector to ensure Cantabrians access the care and services they desperately need.”