Levy in charge of two DHBs

Dr Lester Levy is now in charge of the Waitemata as well as the Auckland District Health Board. Photo / Supplied

Some central Auckland patients could be treated at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals under a spirit of collaboration, the man now responsible for nearly one million Aucklanders' health has indicated.

Lester Levy, Waitemata District Health Board chairman since last year, was yesterday named head of the Auckland board, giving him responsibility for the spending of about $3 billion a year.

At Auckland DHB, Dr Levy replaces Pat Snedden, who was dumped by Health Minister Tony Ryall.

The Government appoints up to four members at each of the 20 boards and decides who will be the chairs and deputy chairs.

Mr Snedden has said he wanted another term chairing the board, but quit because Mr Ryall had told him "that he has different plans for ADHB".

Dr Levy said collaboration between Auckland and Waitemata boards on patients could be considered.

"Anything is possible that is going to advance access and better service delivery," he said.

Labour's health spokeswoman, Ruth Dyson, said although she did not object to shared membership of DHBs, Dr Levy's joint appointment, and Virginia Hope's dual appointments as chairwoman of Wellington's Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs, amounted to "amalgamation by stealth".

Joint appointments are not new. A former Labour appointee, Ross Keenan, was deputy chairman of Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau boards.

Mr Ryall said his cross-appointments marked his push for greater regional collaboration.

"The overlaps between each of these Auckland and Wellington region DHBs are clear. Waitemata pays Auckland DHB a quarter of its budget each year for services ... Each board needs the other to be successful."

National promised at the 2008 election that it would "not carry out another round of restructuring of the public health system".

Dr Levy said: "I have no riding instructions around restructuring or merging. That's not what it's about."