Media Release
13 October 2009

Southern Cross Healthcare supports DHB decision to change back to Diagnostic Medlabs

Leading private healthcare organisation, Southern Cross Healthcare, supports the DHB’s decision to improve service by contracting a different company to provide laboratory services to private hospitals and specialists in Auckland.

Southern Cross Healthcare Group Chief Executive, Ian McPherson, says the Diagnostic Medlab service was previously of a high standard and he expected a return to that situation following a short transition period.

“We support the approach to use another dedicated lab service to meet the needs of private hospitals and specialists. This will also help take some stress and workload off Labtests as they work to bed in their service.

“We also support an element of competition in the provision of laboratory services in Auckland. We believe this will be a positive aspect for Auckland in the long run.”

The Southern Cross Healthcare Group encompasses Southern Cross Hospitals, whose Auckland network includes three wholly owned private surgical hospitals (Southern Cross North Harbour, Southern Cross Brightside and the Auckland Surgical Centre) and two joint venture facilities (Epsom’s Gillies Hospital and Manukau City’s Ormiston Hospital).

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