About Us
About Us
West Otago Health Trust (WOHT)
West Otago Medical Centre, Ribbonwood Aged Care Facility, Ribbonwood Cottages and a local Tapanui residence reserved for our town’s doctor, are all owned by the West Otago Health Trust, which is known locally as WOHT.
WOHT has a board of trustees chaired by Tapanui local, Will Byars. The main objective of WOHT is to look after the land and buildings that we own on behalf of the West Otago Community. The WOHT appoint the directors of West Otago Health Ltd to govern the day to day business operations of these facilities.
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Ribbonwood is owned by the people of West Otago via the West Otago Health Trust. The construction of the original premises was concluded in August 2014 and was only made possible by the generosity of our supporters and West Otago’s 2,300 residents. The facility is a combined purpose facility which has the local Medical Centre and the Ribbonwood Rest Home which provides a nursing home, hospital and respite level care, as well as supported living cottages. There is also an emergency helipad on site. All residents of the facilities have prompt access to a Doctor and services provided in the Medical Centre, while the medical centre provides health care for wider West Otago community.
The Medical Centre, Ribbonwood Country Home and Cottages upon completion in 2014.
WEST OTAGO HEALTH TRUST
West Otago Health Trust:
Will Byars - Chairperson 027 485 2012
Nicole Cronin - Secretary 0276005342
Lloyd McCall
Danielle Millar
Lindsay Alderton
​Appointment of trustees replacing those that, may retire annually are made by the West Otago Community Board, who advertise locally for expressions of interest. Tenure is 3 years. At this point the Trustee may step down or be appointed for a further three years.
WEST OTAGO HEALTH LTD
Alistair Body - Chairperson 0272763661
Hans van der Linden - Financial Director
Fiona Hancox
Fraser Fletcher
Julia Russell
Debra McKenzie
WOHL Chairman Alistair Body
WOHL Financial Director Hans van der Linden
2023 RIBBONWOOD EXTENSION
In 2023, Ribbonwood was extended to raise the bed capacity from fourteen to nineteen to meet future increased demands for aged care, respite level care and strengthen long term sustainability of the business.
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For this extension, the West Otago community again fundraised to help pay for the new building costs through offering naming rights of rooms and facility sponsorship, a stock scheme whereby local farmers could donate livestock, general donations, and through a fundraising committee who held events to raise money.