Senior staff resignations at Dunedin Hospital not a crisis: SDHB

Friday, 4 August 2017

The confirmation that three senior staff members have resigned shows Dunedin Hospital is in crisis, Labour's health spokesman says.

Dunedin North MP David Clark said those who resigned included the head of nursing, the chief financial officer and the human resources manager.

'This tells us there is a cultural issue,' he said.

However, SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said the staff changes at the top of the organisation this week were the result of the organisation's ongoing leadership restructuring.

The restructuring aimed to clarify decision-making and allow the DHB to focus on the transition into increased primary and community care called for by patients and the community, he said.

Fleming said talk of a leadership 'crisis' was not accurate as the restructuring was widely consulted on and tied to specific aims articulated in the Proposal for Change document.

The staff changes did not happen 'overnight' but as part of this managed process.

'Far from melting down, we're in a building phase and have confidence not only in the leadership of the DHB but in our 4500 hard-working staff across the organisation.'

Fleming acknowledged periods of change were challenging for staff and individuals would respond in different ways.

'Staff also have personal circumstances to consider and there is personnel turnover at any organisation.'

The staff changes were: Chief Financial Officer Clive Smith resigned following the disestablishment of his role but would continue in the role of acting executive director finance, procurement and facilities until November 3 while recruitment was undertaken.

Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery Leanne Samuel resigned to pursue other opportunities and Jane Wilson appointed to the new role of Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer.  

Lexie O'Shea resigned as chief operating officer to take up the position of general manager clinical services at Nelson Marlborough DHB, while Mike Collins has been appointed as the executive director people, culture and technology. 

Clark said the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) was the second most poorly funded in the country, and 'that is why people in the south are not getting the services they deserve, that and the delay in the hospital rebuild'.

**READ MORE:

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* Union claims Southern DHB faces $7m shortfall this year

* Shake-up at SDHB: 55 roles axed, 42 roles created**

'You put those two things together, that is why the situation is so dire in the south.'

Clark said he expected the Government to announce the preferred option for the rebuild of Dunedin Hospital, and the budget for that, before the September 23 election.

'Hundreds of patients are waiting for follow-up appointments, but they are not deemed serious enough to be on the urgent list.

'Yet they are waiting so long, there is a risk of deterioration in their health.'

Prime Minister Bill English, who was in Dunedin on Thursday, said he saw no evidence of a crisis at Dunedin Hospital.

'There is a lot of work going on about how much to invest in facilities now knowing that there is going to be a rebuild within the near future.'

He expressed faith in Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.

English, speaking about concerns over prostate cancer patients waiting seven months for surgery, said: 'There are requirements about when a service should be available, and I would hope that anyone who is diagnosed with a significant illness in that way would get the service they deserve.'

He said the DHB was responsible for providing services in Otago and Southland and it had targets 'to adhere to which represent good service to the public'.

'I would hope if those 10 cases aren't getting the service here than the DHB should get it somewhere else.'