The health board is about to start more restructuring, which is likely to affect a larger group of staff than the previous executive and senior management reshuffles.
Last week, it advertised for a change manager and two organisational development advisers to assist the process. All three would be on fixed terms until August next year.
''We are embarking on an ambitious programme of change to align the DHB's clinical services to a district-wide model,'' the advertisement said.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell said details of the restructuring had not been released, but the newly created positions could unsettle staff.
''Generally, positions like that give a message of uncertainty.''
He questioned why the board needed extra staff to support the restructuring.
''Why can't their HR people cope with this?''
From the union's perspective, experience with change management people had been mixed.
''If their background is in change management, outside of the health sector, then they tend to come in with preconceived ideas, and they tend to be people who speak a different language from those people they would be speaking to.
''You almost have to be bilingual or multilingual to communicate with them,'' Mr Powell said.
SDHB human resources executive director John Pine said the fixed-term positions would help the board transform into an organisation with more input from clinicians.
''We are looking to give much greater input to clinical leadership in all areas of decision-making, in a partnership between managers and clinicians.
''As we move through the next stage of the process, we need to ensure staff are looked after.
''These are loyal staff, and we need to ensure they have the support and information they need,'' Mr Pine said.
A background in health was preferred, but not essential, for the new roles.
''This next stage of our organisational development will be a complex process, and will require extra expertise, while the human resources department focuses on its business as usual role, looking after our staff of approximately 4500 people.''
