The government's announced what it calls a record health budget, but there's no knowing whether more money will flow south.

Last time Health Minister Jonathan Coleman visited Dunedin Hospital, he promised more money for the outdated facility.

He's just announced an extra $320m for district health boards in the coming financial year.

But it's not known how much of that will go to the cash-strapped Southern DHB.

All up the government's health budget for the next financial year is $15.9b.