Management shake-up for DHB

A new executive leadership team takes the helm of the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board on October 1.

Board chief executive John Peters told the board disability support advisory committee last week that more than 80 people had applied for the new positions.

The new structure was designed with a split between management and community services, Mr Peters said.

If the board eventually amalgamated into a larger structure, as was happening around the country, management could be split off with little disruption to health services. The Otago and Southland boards joined forces this year and the West Coast board was to be integrated with Canterbury.

Geographically, Nelson-Marlborough was close to Wellington so this could be a logical fit. But with Cook Strait between, travel to Christchurch was easier, Mr Peters said.

About 45 per cent of referrals from the district's hospitals went to Wellington and 55 per cent to Christchurch.

The new management team had more clinical connections, Mr Peters said. There were more members but many positions were not fulltime.

"I am not anticipating significant cost-savings. This was not the driver. But we are hoping it will not be significantly more expensive."

The existing strategic management team had not failed, he said.

"On the contrary, we have a DHB that scores well on the national matrix from recruitment, management and clinical levels."

What was needed was an improved ability to respond to the current weak economy against increasing expectations of health services, and other influences, he said.

Six of 11 members of the current strategic management team will keep their positions in the restructure.

- The Marlborough Express

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