Crown monitor's tenure continues

Southern District Health Board's Crown monitor, Stuart McLauchlan, has had his tenure "rolled over" after it expired at the end of last year, a spokesman for Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

Mr McLauchlan is paid $35,000 annually to oversee the cash-strapped district health board and improve its financial performance.

Through his spokesman, Mr Ryall said he was satisfied with Mr McLauchlan's performance.

"The role of the Crown Monitor is to support the board chair and provide advice to the Government. We're happy with his performance to date."

Under the terms of his appointment, originally to the old Southland District Health Board in 2009, Mr McLauchlan's tenure could be rolled over.

Mr Ryall would make a decision on Mr McLauchlan's and other appointments in due course, the spokesman said.

Last January, former board chairman Errol Millar questioned whether the Crown monitor was value for money for the board. Yesterday, board chairman Joe Butterfield said he accepted Mr Ryall's judgement on the matter.

"[Mr McLauchlan's] the minister's appointment, not mine.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm not querying the minister's decision. The minister has decided that he wants him, and I'm comfortable with that."

The DHB expects to post a $10 million deficit for 2011-12.

When contacted, Mr McLauchlan said the Canterbury earthquakes and resulting disruption to Canterbury District Health Board meant the Southern board would take a more active role in providing South Island health services.

This boded well for the DHB's long-term financial future, although it would not help this year's deficit.

More collaboration, as with the neurosurgery service which was based jointly in Christchurch and Dunedin, was likely, he said.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz