He told the board that by the end of March the forecast annual deficit was down to $847,000 - $2.5 million better than budgeted.
Board chairman Richard Thomson questioned Mr Rousseau's use of the word ‘‘deep''.
The board would be spending money on overtime and temporary staff, costs it would not have if all vacancies were filled, he said.
Board regional chief financial officer Robert Mackway-Jones said it was hard to establish exactly, but the board would be a ‘‘good $3 million worse off'' if all vacancies were filled.
The board was not incurring gross salary costs of about $4.5 million because of the vacancies, but when overtime rates and other costs resulting from the vacancies were included, that figure would be reduced by about $1 million.
The board budgets for 50.1 fulltime equivalent vacancies, but at the end of March it had 137.37.
Mr Rousseau has been highlighting the fact vacancies have been helping the board keep its head above water financially since at least October last year, when there were more than 10 fewer vacancies.
Vacancies at the end of March included the equivalent of 23 senior doctor positions, the majority in emergency medicine and surgery services. There were also 21 nursing positions in that area, and vacancies for more than 35 mental health and community services nurses.
Even with the vacancies, board personnel costs are running over budget.
During March, salaries were over budget by $125,000, mainly because of extra spending on senior doctors.
For the nine months to the end of March, personnel costs were more than $1.2 million over budget, partly due to larger than budgeted wage increases.
One positive factor in the budget has been $1.2 million extra received as a result of fewer patients having treatment out of Otago.
Boards estimate that a certain number of patients will be treated in other centres, and if that treatment does not occur the money is returned.
This financial year, there have been fewer than expected acute cases involving Otago people treated by the Canterbury District Health Board.
Mr Mackway-Jones outlined the difficulties of estimating such cases accurately, pointing out that in 2005-06 the result had not been favourable for Otago.
- Board senior managers met Mr Thomson this week to discuss how the board could improve recruitment practices.
Chief operating officer Vivian Blake said areas which might need more attention included following up on exit interviews to see why people left, why people who seemed keen to come to Otago might change their minds, what could make working for the board more attractive, and the board's advertising.
It was agreed that the next step would be to discuss the issue widely within the organisation to get further ideas.
- Six registered nurses from the United Kingdom have accepted positions in the mental health services area and will begin later this year.
Two anaesthetists have accepted positions and will arrive later in the year and negotiations have begun with two further anaesthetists and two intensive care/anaesthetist specialists, the board was told last month.
