Former Southern District Health Board chief executive Brian Rousseau is leaving his high-flying Adelaide health job to set up his own consulting business.
His resignation as inaugural chief executive of Central Adelaide Local Health Network takes effect on November 23.
Mr Rousseau started the job last September and was responsible for two of the state's biggest hospitals.
Contacted by the Otago Daily Times, he denied an Australian newspaper report which suggested state government funding cuts prompted his resignation.
"I am not sure where they came up with that story, but it is not factual. I haven't spoken with them and don't intend to," Mr Rousseau said in an email.
He declined to further comment on the funding cuts issue.
Adelaide Now reported Opposition health spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith as saying he believed Mr Rousseau was concerned about implementing restrictions on non-medical overtime payments.
However, Mr Rousseau told the ODT the reason he was leaving was to start a consulting business in Australia.
"I have enjoyed the role here, and have learned a great deal.
"I still have contact with some of the folk in Dunedin, and still plan to retire on the Taieri one day."
Appointed in 2003 to the former Otago health board, he oversaw its merger with Southland to form the Southern District Health Board in 2010.
