For General Release - Correction to statements circulating in Media regarding Bay of Plenty District Health Board

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board would like to correct statements made to the media about the financial status of the District Health Board and future staffing intentions.

Phil Cammish, CEO of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board says that the DHB is not currently in deficit.

"As a DHB we are committed to reaching our 2011/12 break even plan whilst addressing the cost pressures all DHBs are facing.

We have bettered our budget targets for each of the last six years and intend to continue to do so.

Our result at the end of January was a surplus of $700,000 which is $100,000 better than plan and are anticipating a break even result for 2012/13."

The BoPDHB is focused on delivering the right healthcare for our community in a sustainable manner and for this reason have asked every department to review their resources both in terms of supplies and staffing as the fiscal environment tightens.

Cammish adds "We remain committed to the Safe Staffing Healthy Workplace programme, where we have been both a pilot site and leading advocate. This commitment includes matching front line nursing resources to patient acuity and need through the Safe Staffing Healthy Workplace supported Trendcare tool.

There are currently no redundancies planned for front line nursing staff.

Any efficiencies that are identified by nursing staff and the nursing leadership team at the hospitals in both Whakatane and Tauranga would never be at the expense of patient safety or care."

ENDS

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