Auckland DHB To Review Management & Admin Jobs

Auckland District Health Board To Review Management & Admin Jobs

The Auckland District Health Board announced today it planned to review management and administration jobs, as part of a broader strategy to reduce its budget deficit.

Chief Executive Garry Smith said the Board was determined to trim its behind-the-scenes costs prior to any cuts on costs related to direct patient care.

“We’re going to find ways to run our organisation smarter and better and, if we cut bureaucracy, we can be more responsive to those providing patient services.”

Mr Smith said the plan to streamline ADHB’s management and administration had the support of the Board.

“It’s no secret that the ADHB is facing considerable financial challenges and we already have a number of initiatives underway to help us address these problems.

“We have identified management and administration as an area where we can make further cost reductions.

Mr Smith said the national target for management and administration costs was 10.5% of total provider revenue.

“At the ADHB, our current percentage is greater than 10.5%.”

He said the ADHB had begun talks with management, staff and unions about the possible changes. Once it had feedback from them, it would move to the next stage of consulting with staff members who might be affected.

“Consultation will start from 6 July and we hope to have completed the entire process within three months.”

Excluding mental health and public health which are funded differently, the ADHB’s management and administration salary costs total $83 million a year.

Mr Smith said the organisation would become more efficient by making better use of technology, improving reporting systems to avoid duplication and unnecessary work and by some managers taking on greater accountability.

“Support” type roles would be targeted more heavily than ‘transactional’ type roles and an enhanced clinician/management partnership would further improve the functioning of the organisation.

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