Labour MP Ruth Dyson says nine district health board (DHB) chairmen are being stood down _ a claim Health Minister Tony Ryall's spokesman says is speculation.Rex Williams from the West Coast, Alister James from Canterbury, Peter Glensor of Hutt Valley, Gr
Labour MP Ruth Dyson says nine district health board (DHB) chairmen are being stood down _ a claim Health Minister Tony Ryall's spokesman says is speculation.
Rex Williams from the West Coast, Alister James from Canterbury, Peter Glensor of Hutt Valley, Gregor Coster of Counties Manukau, Pat Snedden of Auckland, Stewart Edwards of Lakes, Kate Joblin of Whanganui, Errol Millar of Southern and Mary Hackett of Bay of Plenty were all being replaced as chairs of their respective DHBs, Ms Dyson said.
The changes were part of the government's "merger by stealth".
"Questions must be asked about how many chairs are being replaced because of their refusal to cut frontline health services," Ms Dyson said.
Frontline cuts and centralisation of services would increase under this plan, while those in rural areas would miss out, she said.
"Communities need to be aware that their boards are being merged by stealth and that this will mean cutbacks to services."
A spokesman for Health Minister Tony Ryall said the Government would confirm DHB appointments before the end of the month.
"But they are yet to be confirmed so talk of who will be chairing which DHB is speculation."
It was not unusual for DHB chairs to be changed, he said.
"In 2001 the Labour Government changed 12 DHB chairs, in 2004 seven chairs were changed, and in 2007 it changed 10 chairs."
There are 20 DHBs nationwide, and each comprises seven elected and up to four government-appointed members.
