4 Feb 2010

Otago DHB votes for merger with Southland

8:20 pm on 4 February 2010

The Otago District Health Board has voted unanimously in favour of merging with its Southland counterpart.

The boards have been collaborating for several years and already share a chief executive, senior management, laboratory services and some departments, including IT and human resources.

Otago district health board members expressed empathy with some Southland clinicians who believe a merger would result in a loss of services at Southland Hospital.

However, Otago DHB members believe a merger would ensure better and more sustainable health services in both regions and voted unanimously to endorse the plan.

The Southland DHB will vote on the issue next Thursday. Health Minister Tony Ryall will then make the final decision.

Consultation period too short, say doctors

Senior doctors at Southland Hospital have sent an open letter to the chairman of their district health board complaining of inadequate consultation.

The letter, signed by 24 senior practitioners, says the consultation process is materially flawed and cannot form the basis of a considered decision by the public and medical staff.

A spokesperson for the group, Charles Luecker, says the merger presents a significant change of direction for the provision of healthcare for Southland.

Mr Leucker says a month-long consultation period last year was far too short to provide sufficient information.

He believes the entire Southland community must be engaged in the process and says clinicians hope the merger is presented to the public in the form of a referendum.