Disbelief at SDHB tactics

The Southern District Health Board has been accused of ‘‘almost Orwellian'' tactics in its handling of the strategic health services plan.

In a report to a health board meeting today, chief executive Carole Heatly says staff are mostly pleased with the plan, which indicates major changes in southern health services.

Consultation is under way on the draft document, which had met ‘‘generally positive media coverage to date and comment from staff, who are pleased to see an overall direction proposed for the whole health system'', Ms Heatly's report says.

"If you believe in that, you believe in the tooth fairy,'' senior doctors' union head Ian Powell said when asked for comment.

‘‘That sounds like . . . it almost sounds Orwellian, really.''

Feedback from doctors was that the plan was vague and contradictory, Mr Powell said.

‘‘They can use [the plan] to justify anything they want; whether it's transferring services north; whether it's making changes in primary care that don't make good clinical sense.

'' It might also be used to offload more services on to rural health trusts, he believed. ‘‘It's a strategic plan that lacks both strategy and planning.''

Mr Powell encouraged health staff to attend the public consultation meetings under way, but said many would feel there was no point.

Two public meetings in Dunedin on November 14 and 17 round off a series of meetings held throughout Otago and Southland.

Asked to respond to Mr Powell, Ms Heatly released a short statement saying she was pleased with the response so far from the community and staff.

‘We encourage anyone with an interest in health to look at the plan and let us know what they think of it.''

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

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