Health Minister Annette King said today that she expects to be able to announce new and additional appointments to hospital and health service boards before the middle of August.

Mrs King said the process of selecting suitable people had taken longer than planned, but she believed the selection of the right people was too important to rush.

"We have now reached the stage where a number of people who have been interviewed have been invited to meet with board chairs for some frank discussion on the board’s position and to discuss the management of any potential conflicts of interest," she said.

"Not all of the people who have been through this process will be able to be appointed. I have not yet made any final decisions and will only announce them when I have formally advised my colleagues and notified the individuals concerned."

Mrs King said the appointments would be initially to the governing boards of Hospital and Health Services.

"But it is my intention to appoint these people to the governing boards of the transitional District Health Boards when the legislation which will allow this is passed later this year."

For more information, contact Pierre Lyndon (04) 471 9305, or, 025 – 896-605.

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