Doctors Welcome Auckland DHB Chief Executive

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER 2003

“Senior Doctors Welcome Auckland DHB Chief Executive Appointment; Excellent Christmas Present”

“Senior doctors welcome the appointment of Garry Smith as the new chief executive of the Auckland District Health Board,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“Senior doctors have gone through a torrid time over recent years at the Auckland DHB due to its autocratic and narrowly focussed top-down ‘do-as-I-say’ management culture.”

“However, Mr Smith has a strong commitment to establishing a new cooperative environment in which the enormous contribution of senior doctors can be effectively utilised in order to produce good quality and financially responsible decision-making. We are keen to work with him in ensuring that this happens.”

“This is an excellent appointment and an excellent Christmas present for senior doctors and other health professionals who now have a far greater opportunity to be listened to and involved in decision-making.”

“At the risk of causing him cardiac arrest, we congratulate Board chair Wayne Brown and the rest of the Board for making the such a good decision,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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