Dr Coleman was in Wanganui yesterday to inspect the hospital's new acute stroke unit and meet staff and patients.
He expected more doctors and surgeons to be drawn to the country's "excellent regional hospitals", where he said New Zealand graduates were looking to practise in increasing numbers.
On the issue of transport subsidies for patients travelling between Wanganui and Palmerston North for treatments, he was unable to say much, but noted that the topic had been brought up with him.
The Government will assist travelling patients with petrol costs if the distance travelled is 80 kilometres or more, but the distance between Wanganui and Palmerston North is only 78km.
Most people who travel between the two cities for treatment are already covered under the national travel assistance policy due to frequency of travel and their community services cards.
Dr Coleman said he knew the Whanganui District Health Board was "conscious" of the issue.
During his visit to the hospital he met with clinical staff, health board chair Dot McKinnon, chief executive Julie Patterson and assessment, treatment and rehabilitation ward staff.
He said the ward looked like a "good environment" and that it had "dedicated staff".
