24 August, 2004
Greens back call for DHB reform
The Green Party is urging the Government to guarantee freedom of speech and greater autonomy to District Health Boards,
ahead of this year's local body elections.
Green health spokesperson, Sue Kedgley is backing calls today for change from respected Christchurch District Health
Board member, Professor Philip Bagshaw, who describes DHBs as dysfunctional and undemocratic.
"The primary role of DHBs at present is to act as scapegoats when things go wrong," said Ms Kedgley. "The Green Party
would support any move by Government to guarantee them freedom of speech, make them more accountable to their
communities and give them financial independence.
"The government promised local democracy through elected members on District Health Boards. But by law elected members
are accountable to the Minister of Health and her officials, not the people who elect them.
"When they were set up, and elections held three years ago, most people thought they would operate as genuinely
democratic institutions like local Councils. Instead elected representatives have found themselves muzzled and unable to
act as strong advocates for the people who elected them."
Ms Kedgley noted that DHBs were strange hybrids that did not operate as local democratic institutions like Councils but
also were forbidden the financial autonomy and independence exercised by corporate boards.
"If they are to be democratic and effective, we need to give them greater autonomy and financial independence," said Ms
Kedgley. "The Government cannot afford to ignore informed proponents of change, like Professor Bagshaw and Capital Coast
DHB's Helene Ritchie.
"If the Government is as genuinely interested in local democracy and participation in our health system as it claims
then it should listen to voices of concern in our community, not dismiss them out of hand."
ENDS