"Give new health boss a fair go"

"New Director-General of Health Dr Kevin Woods should be given a fair go and not dammed before his arrival," said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

"There are advantages in appointing a Director-General of Health from a country such as Scotland. Scotland has a strong commitment to strengthening the capacity of public hospitals, and is a world leader in workforce planning and in the development of health professional led regional clinical networks. Someone with this background would be a considerable asset to New Zealand."

"People are right to be concerned about cuts to nursing numbers in Scotland But this was something very recent and in effect, imposed by the British government. A senior public servant will never disagree with the position of the government regardless of their personal thoughts. His reported public comments tell us nothing about what he actually might think."

"Former Director-General Stephen McKernan did an excellent job. But all his public comments were in support of the government of the day. Had he publicly distanced himself from his political masters he would not have last four weeks, let alone four years in the job."

"What senior public servants say publicly and what they think are not always the same but this is essential for survival. Let's give Dr Woods a fair go. The only person who can demonstrate whether he is a good appointment or not is him in the job," concluded Mr Powell.
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