The Ombudsman will investigate the refusal of Capital and Coast Heath to provide information on the consultants it employed to develop its business plan.

Wellington Regional Councillors Robert Shaw and Chris Turver said it is unacceptable that the health board expects the public to take on trust the work of overseas consultants who developed the business plan for Wellington.

"Medical people who were involved in the process tell us the investigations were perfunctory and it is difficult to have much confidence in the consultants' work" the councillors said.

"We were surprised that Capital & Coast Health will not even name the consultants employed to develop its controversial business plan, let alone give us access to their research" said Councillor Shaw.

"We want to know about the research which allegedly supports the downgrade of Kenepuru Hospital".

"When we sought in mid-July a list of consultants, the contract sum for each project they did, and some detail on their areas work, we hit a brick wall. We wanted this list so that we could then focus on what was relevant to the decision to downgrade Kenepuru hospital."

"It is impossible for the public to criticise the business plan when basic information is secret. "

"Capital & Coast Health say they want full public consultation on the business plan but they refuse to provide basic facts so that we can intelligently participate."

"The board spends taxpayer's money, and the days of secrecy in these matters have long passed"

Further information: Chris Turver 06 364 3640
Robert Shaw 04 233 0252

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