Centralising health board payroll services has been ruled out by the entity cutting costs in the sector.
Health Benefits Ltd spokesman Mark Reynolds said this week the idea of centralising payroll had been briefly ''raised'' but ruled out as it would make little sense.
''If it ain't broke, why would we fix it?
''It's working well in DHBs. There are lots of systems in DHBs at the moment. The benefits of making any changes there would be quite minimal.''
DHB sector members spoken to by the Otago Daily Times last week understood payroll was in HBL's sights.
However, Mr Reynolds confirmed HBL was looking at DHB rostering and recruitment systems. This work was at a very early stage.
Its finance, procurement and supply chain project was well advanced, and could result in job losses in Dunedin. Consultation with staff would start later this year.
Southern District Health Board member Malcolm Macpherson said he was pleased payroll had been ruled out.
It was a potentially difficult area, because much depended on ''local knowledge'' to ensure there were no problems paying people correctly.
