Media release from Southland and Otago District Health Boards

The Southern District Health Board's (DHB) leadership has been confirmed with the Minister of Health Tony Ryall announcing the appointment of Errol Millar as the new Southern DHB's Chairman and Paul Menzies as deputy.

Mr Millar is currently the Chairman for Otago DHB and Mr Menzies is the current Chairman for Southland DHB. They will take up their new respective positions on 1 May, which is when the two Boards  amalgamate to form the Southern DHB.

Mr Millar initially served as a government appointee on the Southland DHB Board from 2002-2007 and was then appointed to the Otago DHB Board in December 2007. He was appointed as Otago DHB Chairman in February 2009.

Mr Millar said he was proud to be chosen to lead the new organisation .

"This is a pivotal time for the DHBs and I look forward to the challenge of leading us through this merger and beyond.

"Although there will be many challenges ahead, we need to use this opportunity to create a clinically and financially sustainable health care system for the population of Otago and Southland.

"The position of Chairman is a considerable role and I believe that with the established and close working relationship that exists between myself, Paul Menzies and Board members we will ensure that steady progress is made."

Southland DHB Chairman Paul Menzies has been a member of the Southland Board since 2001. He was appointed by the Minister of Health as Southland DHB Chairman in March 2009.  

Mr Menzies said he was pleased the Minister had announced the leadership arrangements prior to the Southern DHB Board coming into being.

"We now have the leadership arrangements in place to go forward confidently and I look forward to further working collaboratively with Errol Milllar and the Board.

The Minister of Health also announced that the Crown Monitor for Southland DHB, Stuart McLauchlan, has been appointed by the Minister of Health as Crown Monitor for the Southern DHB.