ASMSTuesday 23 February 2010, 10:10AM
"Health Minister Tony Ryall's decision to approve the merger of
the Otago and Southland district health boards is premature and
unwise," said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association
of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.
"His acceptance of a top-down decision-making process and ignoring
of warnings from senior doctors and nurses will only reinforce
fears that clinical services in Southland will continue to be
run-down."
"Before any merger proceeded, the top-down managerialism culture
in both DHBs, especially Southland, should have been addressed and
clinical staff in both DHBs should have been to work together as
equal partners in advising on how clinical services should best be
organised and delivered in the two provinces."
"Mr Ryall has been a strong supporter of our call for increasing
clinical engagement and leadership in DHBs. We commend him
for this but unfortunately this unwise decision gives mixed
messages."
"If it is to mean anything substantial, clinical engagement and
leadership in district health boards should not be for some things
but not for others depending on political or managerial whims"
concluded Mr Powell.