Apology given for release of confidential information
A Whanganui District Health Board member has escaped censure for releasing confidential information to the media.
The decision not to censure Philippa Baker-Hogan was made yesterday in the public-excluded section of the full board meeting.
In March, Ms Baker-Hogan sent some information relating to the review of the Regional Women's Health Service to a Wanganui Chronicle reporter. Included in that information was a confidential item - a resolution to dissolve the service following a highly critical review - which the Chronicle subsequently reported in a story.
The last board meeting was held on March 11, the day that the story appeared in the Chronicle. Ms Baker-Hogan was unable to attend that meeting, but made an apology for breaching confidentiality via telephone.