Health Minister says buck doesn't stop with me
Health Minister Annette King says she is not responsible for our biggest health board, the Auckland District Health
Board, despite the fact she knew it was repeatedly blowing its administration budget, says National's Associate Health
spokesman, Dr Paul Hutchison.
"She once said the buck stops with her, but actions speak louder than words.
"She has failed to take any responsibility, let alone any action, when she has known about the growing problems at our
biggest DHB for almost two years."
The ADHB, which has a deficit of more than $48 million, has been under intensive monitoring since 2002. During this time
the ADHB was spending 13.8% of its budget on administration and management, while the national average was 10.5%.
"What's the point of putting a DHB under intensive monitoring when the Minister won't act on major problems, instead
blaming the DHB," says Dr Hutchison.