ATTENTION: HEALTH REPORTER NO. OF PAGES: 1

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
FRIDAY 14 MAY 2000

“Time For Sensible Health Debate, Not Ideological Hysteria”

“It is time for sensible debate rather than ideological hysteria in the debate over the proposed district health boards,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

Mr Powell was commenting on reactions to Treasury’s criticisms about elected district health boards proposed by the government.

“New Zealanders deserve better than knee-jerk reactions. Treasury’s fears about elected representatives on district health boards verge on paranoia. Given the power Treasury has exercised over government policy for many years, asking for its opinion on elected representatives is like asking a dictator to advise on the merits of democracy.”

“Appointed representatives are on average no better or no worse that elected representatives. In the past we have had both good and bad elected representatives and both good and bad appointed representatives. Wasted millions of dollars on information technology is one recent example of financial irresponsibility by appointed representatives.”

“Senior doctors have a variety of opinions on elected versus appointed representatives. Our organisation does not have a collective view. But the debate deserves to move on to a more intelligent and sensible level than some of the recent hysterical rubbish,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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