“DHB’s Otago fertility services is up there with the best”

Media Statement For Immediate Release,

Monday, 08 July 2013

“DHB’s Otago fertility services is up there with the best”

“Southern District Health Board’s Otago Fertility Services is among the best fertility service in the country,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“There is no substance to the suggestions made over the weekend by the head of the private company Fertility Associates, Alex Price, that his company provides a better service than the DHB. He is simply talking up his business because he wants to take over the DHB’s service. It has the whiff of cherry picking.”

“The DHB is fortunate to have a world-class team of dedicated medical specialists, nurses, embryologists and administration staff in its Otago Fertility Services, which is linked with Otago University and is accredited by the Ministry of Health. It has led most of New Zealand’s policy in the provision of publicly funded fertility services.”

“Unfortunately, the DHB’s management does not appear to appreciate the value of what it has. It seems hell-bent on ditching the service in an attempt to save money, based on a proposal that is seriously flawed, containing erroneous information and understandings.”

“Repeated attempts by clinical staff to have meaningful engagement with management to develop ways to find savings while retaining the service have not been treated seriously.”

“The ASMS wrote to DHB chief executive Carole Heatly in May 2013 expressing dismay at the DHB’s heavy handed service review process and the failure to adhere to their clinical engagement and leadership obligations. To date, we have had no response. We have also sought documents relating to the DHB’s proposal under the Official Information Act, which the DHB has so far ignored and is now the subject of a complaint with the Ombudsman. Its non-response suggests it has something to hide.”

“The DHB’s management is behaving arrogantly. It professes a commitment to genuine clinical leadership but then proceeds to marginalise and ignore its own clinical staff which may affect its ability to recruit in the future. It needs urgently to open up, engage with its clinical experts and make decisions consistent with this advice. Management needs to value the expertise that works within their walls.”

“Southern DHB’s clinical staff are only too willing to provide expert advice and leadership but they can’t do it if they are marginalised,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ENDS

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