Health Board Declines Debate On Accountability
“Health Cuts Hurt has been refused the opportunity to make a deputation to the health Board meeting tomorrow on the
issue of accountability of elected Board members to the people of Canterbury,” Heather Carter of Health Cuts Hurt said
today. “The Board says that it is not a matter of urgency or of public interest and has declined our request to speak to
the issue at its 10 Sept meeting.”
“Under the Health Board standing orders Health Cuts Hurt gave what it believed to be the requisite ten days notice (on
Sunday 29 August) to raise the issue of accountability of elected Board members,” said Heather Carter. “With the Board
elections coming up our group believed it was a point that needed to be clarified so people know if it is even worth
voting in the elections.”
“The Board declined for two reasons – it said we were outside the ten working days required,” said Heather Carter.
“However, Rule 2.13.1.2 states: "Notwithstanding 2.13.1, where in the opinion of the Chairperson the matter which is
subject of the deputation is one of urgency or major public interest, the Chairperson may determine that the deputation
be received by the DHB."
“The Board response then reiterated the Ministry of Health view that even board members elected by the public, are
directly responsible and accountable only to the Minister of Health. This suppression of democratic debate is
unacceptable,”. said Heather Carter.