May 29, 2014
Media Release From Dr Paul McCormack, Chair, West Coast District Health Board
I have advised the Minister of Health of my decision to resign as Chair of the West Coast District Health Board,
effective Friday 13th June 2014. My final duty as chair will be to attend the West Coast DHB’s Committee meetings in
Greymouth on the 12th June.
I believe that I have achieved the objectives that I was put in place to deliver. The West Coast health system has been
substantially turned around over the last four years. In particular, we are now delivering more care closer to people’s
homes than ever before. We are consistently improving our performance in most Health Targets set by the Government.
For the fourth year in a row, the DHB will deliver on its commitment to reduce its deficit and live within its means.
Perhaps most importantly of all, after 13 external reviews of West Coast health services over the last 21 years, we have
developed and are bringing to life a new and comprehensive vision for health services on the Coast, supported by new
models of care and new ways of working, that are enabling us to deliver safe and sustainable health services on the West
Coast.
It is in this context that we have secured the commitment of government to invest in a new Grey base hospital and
Integrated Family Health Centre in Greymouth, and an IFHC in Buller. This recent announcement secures the future for
locally-delivered healthcare on the Coast.
Throughout my time as Chair, I have been fortunate to have been supported by my very competent deputy chair, Mr Peter
Ballantyne, the Board, the Chief Executive - David Meates, and his leadership team.
As I leave, I would also like to pay tribute to the many talented people right across the West Coast health system who
are bringing to life the future of health services on the Coast. They are committed, they are talented, and they are
delivering results for the people of the West Coast.
Dr McCormack said he is leaving to travel extensively overseas during the next year.
ENDS
Please note: Dr McCormack is not available for media interviews