DHB Merger Premature And Unwise

“Health Minister’s Approval Of Top-Down Otago-Southland DHB Merger Premature And Unwise; Senior Doctors Ignored”

“Health Minister Tony Ryall’s decision to approve the merger of the Otago and Southland district health boards is premature and unwise,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.
“His acceptance of a top-down decision-making process and ignoring of warnings from senior doctors and nurses will only reinforce fears that clinical services in Southland will continue to be run-down.”

“Before any merger proceeded, the top-down managerialism culture in both DHBs, especially Southland, should have been addressed and clinical staff in both DHBs should have been to work together as equal partners in advising on how clinical services should best be organised and delivered in the two provinces.”
“Mr Ryall has been a strong supporter of our call for increasing clinical engagement and leadership in DHBs. We commend him for this but unfortunately this unwise decision gives mixed messages.”

“If it is to mean anything substantial, clinical engagement and leadership in district health boards should not be for some things but not for others depending on political or managerial whims” concluded Mr Powell.

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