The line-up of the National Health Board announced yesterday is strong and well-grounded clinically, Rural General Practice Network chairwoman Kirsty Murrell-McMillan says.
With only one member from the South Island on the board, those in the South may have to "poke our heads up and say South Island, South Island, a little bit", but she would be comfortable approaching board members, Mrs McMillan said.
Seven of the 10 members announced by Health Minister Tony Ryall are doctors or nurses, including Canterbury District Health Board nursing executive director Mary Gordon.
Mrs McMillan said Mr Ryall had been clear about choosing the people he considered the best for the job and who would work well together rather than some attempt at a democratic process.
"This might get us out of what I call committeeism and get things done," she said.
She hoped the board would not overlook the needs of small places such as Tuatapere, Culverden and Kurow.
She expected rural people would make their voices heard promptly if they felt their concerns were ignored.
Asked about the limited South Island representation on the board, Otago District Health Board chairman Erroll Millar said he did not want to stand on his dignity over geographical representation.
All the diverse stakeholders were well represented and it would be a "good board".
The new board, working within the Ministry of Health, will consolidate national planning and funding of all IT, workforce planning and capital investment.
"Placing our doctors and nurses at the centre of how we deliver health services is crucial to lifting performance of the public health service. The new NHB contains very strong clinical, financial and health management expertise," Mr Ryall said.
Dr Murray Horn was appointed chairman in October.
The board
• Dr Murray Horn (chairman): Director and chairman of Telecom's audit and risk management committee; a former managing director of ANZ Bank's New Zealand operations; former Secretary to the Treasury.
• Dr Virginia Hope (deputy chairwoman): Public health physician and programme leader for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease.
• Dr Jeff Brown: Paediatrician based in Palmerston North; Association of Salaried Medical Specialists president.
• Rob Cooper: Chief executive of Ngati Hine Health Trust in Northland.
• Prof Des Gorman: Head of University of Auckland School of Medicine.
• Marion Guy: Part-time practice nurse, Tauranga.
• Dr Bev O'Keefe: Rotorua GP; Independent Practitioners Association Council of New Zealand chairwoman.
• Graeme Osborne: Health Information Strategy Advisory Committee chairman.
• Hayden Wano: Chief executive Hauora Taranaki Primary Health Organisation and Taranaki health service organisation Tui Ora.
• Dr Margaret Wilsher: Auckland District Health Board deputy chief medical officer, Auckland City Hospital medical director of adult health services.
• Mary Gordon: Canterbury District Health Board nursing executive director.
