Dunedin health staff are starting the culture change Invercargill went through several years ago, Southern District Health Board deputy chairman Paul Menzies says.
Frank feedback in recent health board forums showed Dunedin staff felt more able to speak their minds, he said when contacted.
''The staff are feeling more comfortable in terms of their ability to raise issues.''
Feedback, which is not specified by site, included criticism of decision-making delays, lack of resources and support, inadequate access to managers, administration staff feeling they lacked influence and staff feeling cynical and detached from the organisation.
Mr Menzies said Southland Hospital went through a ''painful process'' a few years ago, in which staff had been empowered to speak up against a once-rigid hierarchy.
''A lot of that stuff's been broken down [in Southland],'' he said.
However, cultural change was gradual and difficult to measure, he said.
Staff are being canvassed as the health board seeks to refocus some roles from being hospital-based to community-based. In an unusual move, the board has opted for forums and workshops to make the changes, rather than conducting a more formal process.
Health board chief executive Carole Heatly, in a written response, said some of the issues raised could be addressed quickly, and others would take longer.
''We are committed to working with and listening to our staff and will keep them updated as we progress each of the points raised.
''These issues are similar to those that can be found in most large organisations and we need to address them to ensure that we have the best possible environment for our staff and provide the best possible care to the community.''
