Our Specialties
Once fully operational, Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital will provide a wide range of procedures to meet the needs of our local community.
General Surgery
General surgery is often performed to alleviate suffering when a cure is unlikely through medication alone. This type of surgery is increasingly being carried out by minimally invasive techniques that offer patients less pain, better outcomes and shorter post-operative recovery.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - General Surgery
Gynaecological Surgery
Gynaecology is the area of medicine that deals with health issues, conditions and surgery that are specific to women. This generally involves the female reproductive system.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - Gynaecological Surgery
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the medical speciality which deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye.
Since ophthalmologists perform operations on eyes (in particular cataracts), they are considered to be both surgical and medical specialists.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - Ophthalmology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic surgery is concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. This specialty deals with acute injuries, congenital and acquired disorders, chronic arthritis or overuse of the bones, joints and their associated tissues, ligaments, nerves and muscles.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - Orthopaedic Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery covers a wide range of different surgical procedures that repair, reconstruct or replace structures in many different parts of the body including the skin, face and head, hands, breast and stomach. Plastic and reconstructive surgery is concerned with the correction of facial and body abnormalities caused by birth defects, injury, burns or other trauma, disease, or aging. Plastic surgery also includes a range of procedures which may be described as cosmetic surgery.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - Plastic Surgery
Urology
Urology is the branch of medicine that looks at diseases of the urinary system in females and the genitourinary system (urinary system plus genital organs) in males. A doctor who specialise in disorders of the urinary system, and the male reproductive system, is known as an urologist.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - Urology
Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the vessels that carry blood away from (arteries) and back to (veins) your heart.
Vascular disorders include blockages and narrowing of the vessels, abnormal swellings of the vessels (aneurysm) or vessel malfunctions. Vascular disorders often involve other body systems and treatment may require the combined efforts of other medical specialists such as radiologists and general physicians.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - Vascular Surgery
Surgeons operating at Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital
Your medical specialist is credentialled to use Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital to provide medical services. Your medical treatment is provided to you by your specialist, who is not an employee of Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital. Surgeon profiles are designed to offer GPs and patients information about medical specialists, which may assist in assessing treatment options.
We recognise that GPs are best placed to advise and support their patients when considering any treatment, and making informed choices about suitable referral options. We naturally advise patients to refer to their GP in relation to all aspects of treatment, selection of providers and referral to medical specialists.
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital Management
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital is a joint venture partnership between the Central Lakes Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare Limited. The hospital is run like a Southern Cross hospital.

Judith Kissell
General ManagerJudith has worked with the Southern District Health Board in nursing and management positions for over 40 years. While her family were young Judith worked as a night supervisor which provided her with a broad range of experience, even assisting at times in obstetrics. During her 13 years as manager of the operating theatres and day surgery Judith played an integral part in planning, setting up and opening of the new public hospital in Invercargill. Judith has since moved into the private sector and was appointed as the General Manager for the Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital in 2021.

Jan Little
Patient Services ManagerJan’s nursing career expands over 30 years, most of which has been in management positions within the NHS and Private Aged Care sector in the UK. After moving to New Zealand in 2019, to be closer to her family, Jan worked as a Charge Nurse Manager of a surgical ward. Jan is very excited to join Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital, and bring her wealth of clinical and management knowledge to this role.

Kelsi Ridden
Support Services ManagerKelsi has a health background with a degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition; and joined the administration team at Southern Cross Healthcare in 2016. Kelsi will be appointed as the Support Services Manager for Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital in 2022.

Michelle Hempleman
Theatre ManagerMichelle found theatre to be her niche after spending her final 6-week student placement in the area. Now, 27 years on, her passion for theatre hasn’t waned. After moving from Perth to settle in Wellington she continued her theatre career as a registered nurse with a special interest in anaesthetics. Michelle has worked in many different specialties and trained as an anaesthetic assistant. She has been in an associate theatre manager role for the last few years. Michelle is excited to be managing the theatre department for Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital.