Doctors union calls on Fraud Office to expand investigation into Waikato health chief

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell is calling on the SFO to expand its investigation into former Waikato DHB chief executive Nigel Murray. Photo / Supplied

A union representing senior doctors and dentists is urging the Serious Fraud Office to expand its investigation into former Waikato DHB chief executive Nigel Murray to include any potential conflicts.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell said his members were pleased the SFO had launched a preliminary inquiry into Murray spending $218,000 of taxpayer money on expenses during his three-year tenure.

"This additional scrutiny of the former chief executive's disgraceful spend-up on the taxpayer's coin – at least some of which appears to have been unauthorised – is timely and entirely appropriate."

But Powell also urged the SFO to also look at whether there was any possible conflict of interest between Murray and the decision to implement the unsuccessful HealthTap/Smart Health system.

Powell has previously called for Waikato DHB chairman Bob Simcock's resignation and urged new health minister Dr David Clark to urgently replace him because of serious questions about his oversight into the chief executive's spending.

"Each day Bob Simcock remains as chair, the credibility of Waikato DHB is further undermined, despite the excellent work of specialists, nurses and other health professionals who are doing their best to provide high quality patient care in a very unsettling environment where their employer's conduct is worsening damage to the DHB's reputation."

The Herald is seeking comment from Simcock.

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