22 Dec 2016

Canterbury DHB warned to cut costs

7:56 pm on 22 December 2016

The Canterbury District Health Board is being asked to cut costs to reduce a ballooning deficit.

Christchurch Junior Doctors Strike

Christchurch Hospital Photo: RNZ / Andrew Collins

The recommendation has come in a report commissioned by the Ministry of Health, which predicted the board would post a $38 million deficit this financial year.

The report blamed spending on $1 billion worth of new hospital facilities, including Burwood, the Acute Services Building and the outpatients facility.

It recommended tighter financial management, a review of spending and looking at leasing buildings instead of owning them.

If the board did not follow its advice, the report predicted a deficit of $46m by 2021.

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