Southern DHB Nees to Broaden Approach

Southern DHB Nees to Broaden Approach

“The narrow focus on deficits at the Southern District Health Board has claimed another casualty with the departure of medical director Dr James Knight,” says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).

“His resignation sends a strong message to the people running the region’s public hospitals that their approach needs to change, because clearly it’s not working. Dr Knight is highly regarded and has provided a level-headed and insightful voice on issues at the DHB, and his departure is a real loss for the region.”

In an interview with the Otago Daily Times, Dr Knight says the Southern DHB’s obsession with deficits has created a toxic atmosphere of blame and stress, with everyone under constant pressure to reduce costs: http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/318573/everyones-stressed-worried-about-money. He is leaving to take a position working for both the Hawke’s Bay and Capital & Coast DHBs.

“Of particular concern to the ASMS is Dr Knight’s comment that many senior doctors feel they lack the ability to influence the Southern DHB’s direction,” says Mr Powell.

“That shouldn’t be happening. Senior doctors working in New Zealand’s public hospitals, along with other health professionals, are at the forefront of health care and can provide hospitals with leadership, direction, and the benefit of their years of training and expertise.

“There’s a sense that some DHBs, including Southern, are focusing on the cost of everything without fully appreciating the value of what they have. We believe they’ll achieve much more, both in terms of quality and performance, if they broaden their approach to prioritise clinical engagement in order to focus on what makes good clinical sense.”

Mr Powell says that decisions that make good clinical sense also make good financial sense. But focussing so narrowly on deficit reduction is more likely to lead to poor financial and clinical decisions.”

ENDS

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