"The Southland and Otago District Health Boards (DHBs) are pleased the Government has approved our recommendations to merge and that key concerns raised during the consultation process have been addressed," say the two Boards' respective Chairmen Paul Menzies and Errol Millar.

The Government announced its approval of the merger this afternoon. The new entity, the Southern DHB, is expected to be formed on 30 April as a single DHB to cover the Southland and Otago regions. Current members of both boards will work as a single board, under one chair, until local elections at the end of this year.

The Minister of Health Hon Tony Ryall acknowledged that the main concerns expressed by people who made submissions in the consultation process were the potential loss of services from Southland Hospital and a loss of representation for Southland.

Therefore the Southern DHB Board will have a clinical advisory committee, ensuring a strong voice for clinicians in planning new services, as well as providing a direct line to the DHBs governors.

"The concerns raised, clinical sustainability for Southland Hospital and representation for Southland, were very valid concerns," said Southland DHB Chairman Paul Menzies.

"They have been acknowledged and action will be taken on these issues," he said.

Otago DHB Chairman Errol Millar said the two Boards now had a clearer vision of the future and could 'get on with' achieving clinically and financially sustainable healthcare for the Otago and Southland populations.  

"It's good that the matter has been settled and we now know where we are heading."

The Government also accepted the recommendation of the two boards to establish two wards. After the DHB elections, there will be four elected representatives from Otago and three from the Southland region as well as four Ministerial appointments.