Media release from Peter Hausmann

Media release from Peter Hausmann

Peter Hausmann said today that the actions of two former Hawke's Bay District Health Board members asking police to investigate conflict of interest issues and the actions of DHB Board management were farcical, and further evidence of dysfunctional governance at the DHB.

"It's not funny, because police time will be wasted and innocent people in the DHB management will be concerned for their reputations, but it is farcical. In my view these are the actions of desperate people in an attempt to further discredit the Director-General's report before it is released," Mr Hausmann said.

"To date we have witnessed:

* Former board members taking action in the High Court in an attempt to discredit the final report (this action was stopped by the new Commissioner when he replaced the former board);

* The former Chairman claiming that the release of the report will be in some way a breach of the New Zealand Bill of Rights;

* An early draft report of the review panel leaked in breach of confidentiality undertakings made to the Review Panel, and excerpts read under Parliamentary Privilege in the House;

* A High Court application to challenge the sacking of the board, which I am advised includes arguments that have no legal basis, and are simply an attempt to re-litigate former board members' views of events;

* The "facts" as quoted in the media and attributed to previous board members are changing daily;

* The highly regarded and experienced Chair of the inquiry review panel, Mr. Ian Wilson, being called a Labour crony;

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* And now we have baseless representations to the police."

Mr Hausmann said he had asked for the Director-General of Health's review because of the governance issues that existed at the HBDHB, and the false accusations being made about him. He said that all parties had been provided with every opportunity to engage with the review panel and to state their views on events. All parties were provided the same opportunity to review the draft reports provided by the review panel over the term of the review.

"I continue to state that I believe at no time did I act in a manner that was not appropriate, legal or ethical, and I am committed to working within the Review Panel's process towards a completed report.

"Once that report is out we can all read it, learn any lessons that should be learnt about governance at District Health Boards, and move on."

ENDS

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