Toilet paper probe spreads to soap

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As the Government orders health boards to cut bureaucracy, they are being forced to spend hundreds of hours answering MPs' questions about how much toilet paper they use and account for their fax machines, photocopiers and soap.

MidCentral Health Board member Jim Jeffries said he was astonished by the level of detail required by Parliament's health select committee in the board's financial report.

Every health board in the country has been sent the same 50 questions, which cover operational issues from spending on medical mishaps to the environmental "friendliness" of cleaning products.

The detail demanded was "ironic" considering other questions about how the board planned to slash bureaucracy, Mr Jeffries said.

Health board deficits are projected to top $200 million next year.

Most boards are still collating their answers but Waikato, one of the largest district health boards, reported one staff member had spent 60 hours co-ordinating the response.

Capital and Coast spokesman Michael Tull said the number of questions varied the board received more than 200 questions one year.

"Often only `yes' or `no' answers are required, or we already have the information collated somewhere, so it is not always very time-intensive."

The committee's chairman, National MP Paul Hutchison, defended the detail required.

"It's important the financial reviews are robust and boards must be held accountable ... if there are board members who feel some of the questions are irrelevant, I'm happy to discuss that with them ahead of next year."

WHAT THE HEALTH BOARDS ARE ASKED

-What is the best estimate of any reductions in greenhouse gas emissions the DHB will be able to achieve in the 2008/09 financial year (in tonnes CO2 equivalent) and how does this compare to last year's emissions?

-What percentage of the DHB's total budget is spent dealing with adverse events?

-What percentage of the DHB's budget is being spent promoting healthy eating?

-Please provide a breakdown of sustainable procurement ("Environmental Choice" tick or equivalent standard) as a percentage of total procurement spending on the following: office papers/printing papers, sanitary paper products, copying machines, fax machines, printers, cleaners, flooring, writing instruments ...What is the DHB doing to promote and facilitate car pools, public transport, or sustainable staff transport options?

- RUTH HILL, Dominion Post