Thursday 3 December 2015

Southern DHB deficit progress and Commissioner’s term extended

Southern DHB Commissioner, Kathy Grant says that the agreed deficit figure of $35.9 million is one in which the team has confidence, and which is deliverable this year.

Mrs Grant also welcomes the decision to extend the Commissioner’s term of appointment to 2019, which will give the Commissioner team more time to reposition the DHB.

“The DHB takes the deficit position very seriously. There is a shared determination across the Southern health system to ensure we get back to a stronger financial footing,” says Mrs Grant.

“Financial sustainability is one of the key performance targets in our plan ‘Owning our Future’ and we will be working to decrease this figure over the next few years. We know that short-term cost cutting won’t achieve the results we’re after. We’re talking about whole-of-system change over a period of time.

“The Minister has been very clear that he wants certainty as to the financial outcome and that change to live within our means will require a realistic time frame. Having the Commissioner term extended will provide a more appropriate timeframe to implement the plan.

“We recognise that it’s necessary to invest in order to save, we are looking to invest in our people, infrastructure and facilities. We have outstanding staff in all providers who continually demonstrate their commitment to improvement and innovation.

“We all need to be focused on a long term strategy to reposition the DHB and to deliver appropriate health outcomes for the population of Otago and Southland.”

ENDS

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