Media Release

Sunday 6 May 2012

West Coast DHB bureaucracy still growing

Figures just obtained by the Democrats for Social Credit indicate that despite claims that savings would be made by sharing management with the Canterbury DHB, West Coast bureaucratic positions are still increasing under the new regime.

When DSC health spokesman David Tranter asked the West Coast DHB a year ago for the total number of administrative positions the answer given was 124, but under a similar request this year the reported number is 144. “So where are the savings from cooperation with Canterbury?” Mr. Tranter asked.

“It is significant that whereas OIA requests to the West Coast DHB have previously been answered by Greymouth management this latest request was answered by the Canterbury DHB from Christchurch indicating that Coast bureaucratic positions have increased even with sharing of administration between Canterbury and the Coast.

“The latest OIA response continues the long-established WCDHB traditions of OIA responses often being delayed to well outside the legal time limits and displaying downright incompetence even when they are answered - in this latest case the covering letter stated that two documents were attached, yet one of these is a blank worksheet containing no information whatsoever.

“The West Coast public could be forgiven for thinking that whatever the disadvantages of their health services being run from Christchurch at least they might have expected a reduction in local bureaucracy and an end to WCDHB incompetence and arrogant disregard for OIA regulations.

“Regrettably, it seems that no such improvements are forthcoming, Mr. Tranter said.

ENDS

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