In July 2022, the Southern DHB was dissolved as part of a nationwide overhaul of the district health board system.

On 1 May 2010, the Otago and Southland DHBs were merged to form a new Southern DHB, with elected members coming from two constituencies – Otago and Southland – and the remainder appointed by the Ministry of Health, with the change taking effect from the 2010 local body elections.

[1][2] From 1 July 2010, a unified primary health organisation has covered the entire new Southern DHB region with primary health organisation (PHO) centres in Alexandra, Dunedin, and Invercargill with the mandate of providing PHO resources and services, replacing the previous nine PHOs.

[citation needed] On 11 November 2021, Southern DHB member Ilka Beekhuis resigned after she used her title to oppose Countdown's COVID-19 vaccine mandate on employees and voted against a DHB motion calling for a commitment to at least 90% vaccination rates across communities.

[5] The area covered by the Southern District Health Board is defined in Schedule 1 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and based on territorial authority and ward boundaries as constituted as at 1 January 2001.

[15] The following private hospitals are located in the Southern District Health Board area: