5. Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (National—Northcote) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What is the threshold that he sets himself for intervening in the governance arrangements of a district health board?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Health) Link to this
The thresholds for intervention in the governance arrangements of the district health boards are provided for in the relevant legislation. For example, the relevant statutory threshold for intervening to remove the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board from office was section 31(1) of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act. I removed the board because I was seriously dissatisfied with the board’s performance.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Why did the Minister intervene in Hawke’s Bay but not in the Waitemata District Health Board, although senior doctors there have written a letter of no confidence in the board, sick elderly patients lie on trolleys in hospital corridors for 24-hour periods, and North Shore people have less chance of being killed on the roads of North Shore City than of dying from a sentinel event at the hospital? How can the public actually believe him when he says he gives health services priority?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Inter alia, because I am aware that the Waitemata District Health Board has 78 new beds coming on stream by August, and some 200 new beds coming on stream by the end of the current building programme.
Barbara StewartCan the Minister assure us that in future he will be supervising district health boards adequately, in order to avoid drastic measures such as sacking boards and appointing commissioners—actions that deflect attention from patient care priorities—if not, why not?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I thank the member for her question, because, yes, patient care is, and should be, at the heart of all these matters. I further agree with the supposition of the question that the adequate use of proper processes early on will ensure that such serious powers do not have to be used in future. I can confirm that there currently is no equivalent situation of which I am aware at any other district health board in the country.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Can it be credible for the Minister to say that a key reason for sacking the Hawke’s Bay board was that two doctors were critical of it, when 13 senior doctors of the Waitemata District Health Board directly blame the board for severe bed and staff shortages, treatment delays, and postponed operations, yet the Minister shows no sign of doing anything at all about it?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I am sure the member would not want to risk his reputation on the supposition that only two doctors complained to me about the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Why would the Minister sack the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board because of a so-called dysfunctional relationship between management and the board but turn a blind eye to the Waitemata District Health Board, where there is an obvious dysfunctional relationship between senior doctors and the board?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I am advised that the matter raised by some senior doctors of the Waitemata District Health Board was adequately addressed in the press conference held by the board later the same day.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Why would the Minister not intervene in the Waitemata District Health Board, where senior doctors say unacceptable conditions delay operations until they become emergencies, whereas Hawke’s Bay patients are getting the treatment they need yet he goes ahead and sacks the board?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
In reply, I would simply invite the member to confer with his colleague Mr Ryall. The member seems to be indicating I am taking rather too gentle an approach with the district health board, whereas Mr Ryall thinks I am rather too harsh.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Why will the Minister not admit that the real reason he sacked the Hawke’s Bay board but not the Waitematā board is that in Hawke’s Bay the cronies are actually in senior management, while in Waitematā the cronies are on the board, and under this Government the rule is cronies first, patients second?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I am surprised the member would risk what was left of his reputation with a question like that.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister certainly stood up and spoke, but did he address the question? A pontifical statement like that is interesting and somewhat typical, but hardly enlightening in relation to the question.
Madam SPEAKERHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
To rephrase the answer more fully, I do not have information available to me as to which board the member concerned thinks he may have cronies on, or which management team he may have cronies in. To refer back to the preceding question from the member Mrs Stewart, I can only repeat that my overriding motivation in adopting this serious measure was concern for the people of Hawke’s Bay and the sustainable delivery of their health services.