We had an inspiring session last week, led by Ruth Spearing, a recently retired specialist at CDHB. Ruth highlighted the issues which CDHB has been facing and there was a lively discussion which followed. The discussion attracted wide interest as it has been viewed over 2500 times in the last week. People are concerned and Ruth’s analysis is shared by many people.
During the week the chair of CDHB, Sir John Hansen, sent this message out to all of the staff:
I am aware that recent resignations from EMT are unsettling for staff. Your concerns are not being helped by rumours and misinformation about the Board’s approach to reducing our significant deficit.
We have begun a recruitment process to ensure we get the best possible applicants and the right people in theses crucial EMT roles. This process will take some time, and interim appointments will be announced imminently.
Many of you will be aware that last year’s annual plan was not signed off by ministers. The Board has a duty to address the deficit and ensure that health services are provided efficiently and within budget. Management have already initiated a deficit reduction plan and a Program Office headed by Dan Coward has been set up to support this plan.
At this time, the Board has made no decisions on further deficit reduction programmes. However, I want to assure you that cutting services will not form part of the Board’s deficit reduction strategy. As we move forward you will be kept updated with plans.
I am also delighted to report that the migration into Hagley is close at hand headed by Mary Gordon. Although significantly delayed we will be moving into the newest and best hospital building in New Zealand.
I would like to thank you all for your continued hard work and look forward to the gains we can collectively continue to make towards a more efficient, patient centred health system.
Please forward to any contractors who work in your team
I find it concerning that around New Zealand the funding for our CDHB is written of as “a Canterbury issue”. I still feel we have been badly let down by the MP’s of this district, of both major parties.
Before the last election Labour were all buddy-buddy with David Meates, and the CDHB, and sounding off in the media about how badly we had been treated. Then, when they were in office, they went further than the National Party ever did with beating up this area. Look at the chaos which has resulted from their endorsing the analysis of the Ministry of Health.
Have our politicians, of all colours, allowed the Ministry of Health to get away with “spin ahead of performance”, as a commentator stated on RNZ this morning? I have always wondered about the competence of this Ministry.
Here is the link to last week’s session: https://www.facebook.com/tuesdayclubchch/videos/299717157977050
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