The head of the senior
doctors' union hopes new Southern District Health Board chief
executive Carole Heatly will bring a "greater sense of
reality" to the DHB.
On Saturday, the board announced the 52-year-old Scotswoman
would be its new chief executive. She is expected to take up
the position in February.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive
director Ian Powell said the concept of a single service
delivered throughout Otago and Southland was unrealistic.
The area's geographical size posed staffing and logistical
difficulties, especially for some services. The potential
benefits of the 2010 merger were "oversold", and people
expected results too quickly, he believed.
Ms Heatly has experience of health service mergers, and he
was heartened by indications she understood mergers took
longer to realise efficiencies than many people desired.
Mr Powell, who had a somewhat acrimonious relationship with
previous chief executive Brian Rousseau, looked forward to
working with Ms Heatly, and joked he had a "soft spot" for
Scottish accents.
Senior doctors had been privy to the CEO appointment process,
and were extremely impressed by Ms Heatly, he said.
Although Ms Heatly worked mainly in England, her Scottish
background was promising because that country's health sector
was known for strong clinical networks and her background in
nursing suggested she would understand patient and staff
needs, he said.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation organiser Lorraine Lobb was
pleased a former nurse had been appointed, although she said
that in itself did not guarantee good management.
University of Otago health policy specialist Associate Prof
Robin Gauld said Ms Heatly's biggest challenge was removing
"historic boundaries" of the old Southland and Otago health
boards. Her background boded well for the role.
Ms Heatly, who was originally from Motherwell, near Glasgow,
spent her early career in nursing, including more than 10
years as an accident and emergency nurse. Her most recent
appointment was as the chief executive of the North Cumbria
University Hospital National Health Service Trust in
Carlisle, a position she has held since 2008.
Mr Rousseau, who left to go to Adelaide after eight years in
the job, had a salary package of between $490,000 and
$499,999, in the last financial year.
eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.