Action against DHB ruled out

Dr Janet Titchener's contract with the DHB was not renewed after a review said it was not good value for money and was supplementary to existing services. Photo / Duncan Brown

The Office of the Ombudsman has decided no action needs to be taken on the Hawke's Bay District Health Board's (DHB) controversial handling of a diabetes contract.

Dr Janet Titchener's contract with the DHB, to treat patients and educate clinicians at a cost of $150,000 for one year, was not renewed after a review said it was not good value for money and was supplementary, rather than an alternative, to existing services.

Dr Titchener is a General Practitioner with a Special Interest (GPSI) in diabetes.

Lobby group Put Patients First campaigned to have the service kept because of the loyal following of past patients but the DHB said good results were also being gained from other services that were more cost effective and integrated with wider health services.

When hearing news the contract would not be renewed lobby group Put Patients First said the DHB's chief executive, Dr Kevin Snee, was not prepared to first listen to patients before axing health services.

The DHB said while Dr Titchener's results were very good, the cost of the contract would have a wider health benefit if spent differently.

The lobby group made an emotional presentation to the DHB's February board meeting, to no avail.

A review of the DHB's decision was sought from the Ombudsman, an independent authority that helps the community in its dealings with government agencies.

Put Patients First backer Andy Lowe's company Lowe Corp has since funded a pilot education programme, in conjunction with Totara Health, which could help more than 2000 patients.

"We are committed to helping Hawke's Bay become a stronger and a more educated region in preventing and fighting diabetes," Mr Lowe said.

"We have to listen to patients and doctors. We support and agree with their call to expand and grow a model that uses a patient-centred approach within a primary care setting, learning from Dr Titchener.

"The GPSI service has proven it works, has delivered outstanding long-term results and has been life-changing for patients. It has closed the gap in diabetes for Maori.

"We all acknowledge there is only one Janet Titchener, she cannot do it alone. So we are going to invest in offering clinical training for doctors and nurses where they can learn from her skills and knowledge, and in doing so reach a lot more patients."