DHB Resignations Are Tip Of Iceberg

Wednesday 28 Aug 2002

The Health Minister's supposed `surprise' at the resignations of top health bosses is very difficult to take at face value, ACT Health Spokesman Heather Roy said today.

"Most people in the sector have known about the DHB chief executives' resignations for months. They are the very tip of the iceberg - there are at least two more chief executives who are rumoured to be quitting as well.

"The Minister must accept responsibility for these resignations. Anyone stepping into the shoes of a departing CEO is being set up for failure - they are literally receiving the ultimate hospital pass.

"The Minister has created a system where the buck stops with CEOs but boards have little autonomy. They are gagged and they are very constrained financially.

"The Minister set up the boards to give the illusion of community control. In fact, the boards have the unenviable and almost impossible task of laundering the Minister's decisions.

"Now boards have to make cuts to allow for the development of primary health organisations - the only area able to be cut is elective services.

"Constitutionally, the Minister is responsible. The buck stops with her. Her mock expressions of `surprise' are yet another attempt to evade accountability - they show that she simply isn't up to the task," Mrs Roy said.

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