Early reports indicate the health professionals recruiting event in London which drew criticism for offering a free beer to those attending has been a worthwhile event, Otago District Health Board chairman Richard Thomson says.
The "Return to your Southern Roots" event at the Speight's Southerner Bar in London last weekend offered the first 100 expatriate health professionals a free beer.
Although a full report of the event was not yet in, and fewer people than hoped had attended, it appeared there was at least one couple who had already tentatively arranged to come to the South.
Referring to the criticism from the Public Health Association which suggested the promotion was working against the healthy outcomes board staff were trying to achieve, Mr Thomson said "some people need to get out more, frankly".
The event had not been about the Otago and Southland boards associating themselves with Speight's, but about finding something in London which had associations with Dunedin.
Those who attended had appreciated the informality of the occasion.
The campaign was about enthusiasm, not about "dry, humourless, prissy nonsense, but about conveying a sense of vitality".
Those associated with the Healthdownsouth campaign were doing a great job and had been working hard on the campaign. It would be disastrous if such enthusiasm was eroded by criticism.
Asked if the free beer offer would be repeated, Mr Thomson said that would need to be considered when the boards evaluated the recruitment campaign after it finished.
Public Health Association Otago and Southland chairman Richard Egan said he agreed with Mr Thomson that the association stance could be seen as an overreaction.
"He's right. We are on our high horse, but I think we have to take the ethical or moral high ground on some issues."
He considered there were other ways of reminding people in London of their Southern roots, such as holding the event in a cafe run by former Dunedin people or hiring a Dunedin band to perform.
