A financial analysis document provided to the Otago Daily Times by the National Health Board under the Official Information Act suggests total public-health spending in the area this year, expected to be $24.35 million before the expert panel's recommendations, could fall to $23.69 million.
The August report from the NHB-appointed panel did not include financial information, although in the executive summary it referred to it, saying the NHB had confirmed with the panel the packages proposed had been costed and over time would not cost the board any more and in the future better value for money could be achieved.
The financial projections in the analysis, however, suggest the savings which might be expected would rise slowly over the years to more than $1.06 million a year by 2018-19.
The panel proposals, which followed extensive community consultation, included retaining and enhancing services at Lakes District Hospital at Frankton, including the emergency department; developing a centre of excellence for training rural health practitioners; and having a CT scanner in Central Otago.
The financial analysis takes into account not just the costs associated with Lakes District Hospital but all district health board-funded services "impacted by this review", the report said.
Areas where the panel expects costs will be avoided or reduced or revenue will be increased include aged residential care, employment of registrars, CT scanning , demographic funding and patient claims for travel and accommodation.
The figures show the proposed community reference group is expected to cost $10,000 a year.
At its September meeting, the Southern District Health Board generally supported the 21 recommendations but asked for the financial analysis and further information on CT scanning estimates to be provided.
At that meeting, the then chief executive, Brian Rousseau, said management had not seen the analysis.
This week, board finance and funding general manager Robert Mackway-Jones advised he had not yet come to any conclusions regarding the financial analysis and was still reviewing it.
NHB deputy director Michael Hundleby, responding to questions about the analysis this week, said the expert panel looking at the future of services in the Wakatipu had received the information in an interactive session, where they were able to question financial experts.
The information released to the ODT was compiled from that.
The NHB had also advised that the board it would be happy to make a presentation to it, but he was unclear on whether that offer was made before or after last month's DHB meeting.
The NHB visited the DHB monthly and "sit down with the chairman and the chief executive and the rest of the senior team" to discuss issues.
He thought the information would have been available "right through".
Asked if in hindsight the information should have been included in the report for the benefit of the public, Mr Hundleby said the report covered the main issues and made some recommendations and he did not think adding detailed financial information would add much to the public's understanding.
The board was happy to release the detailed financial information if requested.
