Southland senior doctors support ASMS talks with Government

Southland senior doctors today confirmed their support of the Association of Senior Medical Specialists (ASMS) taking up the issue of the Otago/Southland District Health Board merger with the government.

The Southland District Health Board voted last week in favour of merging with the Otago District Health Board and forwarded its recommendation to the Minister of Health for a final decision.

Dr Charles Luecker, speaking on behalf of the senior doctors, today said he was happy that talks with the government were taking place. “We agree with the ASMS that there needs to be a focus on improving clinical service collaboration between Otago and Southland before we look at a structural merger. Changing the structure of the two DHBs will not necessarily resolve issues around clinical collaboration. It may even make it harder to address these issues if Southland loses its representative voice.”

“We continue to support positive change, reduced bureaucracy and cost savings, however we still don't believe that the proposed merger, as it has been presented to us, is in the best interests of Southlanders.

“Administrative structure should reflect clinical practice, not the other way around. We urge the government to delay the merger until there is sufficient evidence that it will not impact on Southlanders access to health services locally.”