Heavy-handed Ministry of Health orders to DHBs on mental health pay rates rejected by DHB member

An elected member of the Waikato DHB has sharply criticised a Ministry of Health instruction to DHBs for them NOT to ensure pay equity increases are provided for mental health workers in their areas.

The instruction was contained in a letter leaked to Radio New Zealand, and written on 7th July 2017 by Jill Lane, the Ministry's Director of Service Commissioning.

Dave Macpherson, elected to the Waikato DHB in October 2016, accused the Ministry of "heavy-handed, and possibly illegal, interference in the affairs of District Health Boards".

Macpherson said "DHBs are legally authorised employers of mental health staff, and contract providers for community mental health agencies."

"DHBs and the Government are currently in the midst of official negotiations with representatives of workers in this vital industry."

"Our DHB management have already alerted our Board to the high risk that failure of our mental health services to match pay equity wages in the wider health services are will likely lead to staff shortages."

"Some DHBs appear to have already made the smart move to meet the market, and to be fair to the female mental health workers they are responsible for, by ensuring pay equity increases are provided for," said Macpherson.

"My hope is that all DHBs decide to be fair to all of their staff by making pay equity provisions."

"The Ministry's leaked letter amounts to direct interference in a legal employment negotiation situation, and their actions need to be investigated."

"I also can't imagine that the Minister of Health will be very impressed at Ministry officials undercutting ongoing negotiations in this important sector."

"The Minister has signalled that he is finally ready to make long-needed improvements in the mental health sector; this will surely be more difficult if mental health staff are leaving poorly-paid jobs to get fairer pay in other health-related jobs."

"Ministry officials need to pull their heads in on this one, and start doing what ought to be their job - ensuring that the nation's health services are properly funded, and that New Zealanders are getting the services they need."

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