MONDAY 11 MARCH 2002

“Doctors Editorial Requires Urgent Ministerial Action Over Auckland District Health Board Crisis”

“The issues raised in the NZ Medical Journal editorial by Auckland senior doctors over the crisis in the Auckland District Health Board requires urgent action by the Minister of Health,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today. Mr Powell was commenting on the editorial by four Auckland senior doctors in the 8 March issue of the NZ Medical Journal.

“Senior management at the Auckland DHB has badly missed the plot and botched its planned restructuring. Unfortunately this has been made worse by irresponsible comments from the Board chairperson whose arrogance and inability to respect others and failure to demonstrate skilled diplomacy matches the Australian Rugby Union.”

“The Auckland DHB is plunging on a downwards spiral. Its internal relations are in tatters as senior doctors have lost confidence in management and the board to work constructively for resolution. In this environment the DHB is incapable of addressing its large financial deficit without seriously compromising patient safety.”

“The recommendation of the editorial for an independent clinical board to directly advise the DHB on future directions deserves the support of the Minister of Health. Late last year she received a report from an advisory group recommending a similar approach nationally.”

“The Minister needs to give Auckland health bosses a rocket where it hurts in order to instruct them to get behind senior doctors in trying to prevent the DHB from further imploding and compromising standards of care,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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