$40m cash injection for Capital and Coast DHB

Health Minister Tony Ryall. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

The Government has issued a $40 million boost to the cash-strapped Capital and Coast District Health Board to help it pay its day-to-day bills.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said the grant would help the board, which provides healthcare to the lower North Island, get through the 2010/11 financial year.

It had the largest deficit of any DHB in the country and the $40 million cash injection would help it pay its bills without going into overdraft, he said.

"The $40 million support is what was budgeted, and the DHB remains on track to break even in 2013/14."

Capital and Coast has been in deficit - or close to it - for the past decade, and was given $58 million in deficit funding last year, Mr Ryall said.

It had been given $203 million by the National government in deficit support and capital projects, he said.

"On top of these deficit and capital injections, the government has lifted Capital and Coast's annual funding to a record $677 million in the 2011/12 year, which is $88 million more than when we took office."

- NZHERALD STAFF