KEY POINTS:
Health Minister David Cunliffe is concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation at the Hawkes Bay District Health Board.
Mr Cunliffe told Parliament yesterday the board was under close scrutiny after facing questions from National Party members on reports that the board's chief executive was on indefinite sick leave because of exhaustion, a board member had refused to come to meetings, it was facing an $8 million deficit and still did not know who its chairman would be.
"I am aware of all those factors and I am keeping the situation of Hawkes Bay District Health Board under very close scrutiny," Mr Cunliffe said.
"I am very concerned at the rapidly deteriorating situation ... the chief executive is on stress leave, there is a rapidly rising deficit projecting and continuing apparent tensions within the present board and its clinicians."
In July last year the Ministry of Health ordered a governance report on the board after a conflict of interest crisis involving board member Peter Hausmann and other issues.
National's Napier MP Chris Tremain asked whether the report would examine how $12 million from the sale of capital assets was allowed to be used to fund operating deficits.
He said former Health Minister Pete Hodgson had warned the board it could not use the money in that way without ministerial permission.
"It would appear that somebody has not abided by the law on the appropriate governance process," Mr Cunliffe said. "It [the board] cannot use, without the minister's permission, capital assets to fund operating deficits."
- NZPA
