KEY POINTS:
Wellington's crisis-stricken Capital and Coast District Health Board will have to wait until next week to find out what the Government is going to do about it, but financial help hasn't been ruled out.
Health Minister David Cunliffe said today he would take a set of options to
Cabinet on Monday, and announce his decision later in the week.
Some political parties are demanding the sacking of the board and the appointment of a commissioner after a series of damning reports about medical mishaps, patient deaths and chaotic management problems.
"This is a board in crisis," Mr Cunliffe told reporters.
"It needs to be stabilised and it needs security of funding, as well as security of services and a great deal of co-operation between all parties - the ministry, the board, management, clinicians and staff."
Mr Cunliffe said he did not want to talk about his options before taking them to Cabinet but said: "I would not rule out the Government moving to assist the board in the short term."
Asked whether he was talking about money, he said that could be part of the "solution package".
In Parliament today MPs grilled Mr Cunliffe over the latest scandal to hit the DHB - media reports about a secret report suggesting cutting up to 50 doctors at Wellington Hospital to help deal with a growing budget deficit.
Called the Sustainable Health Services Project, it was drafted by ministry officials, DHB managers and consultants.
"I am advised the report, which I have yet to consider, does not recommend cutting doctor numbers," Mr Cunliffe said.
"There is no razor gang".
Mr Cunliffe said the report was about identifying variations between the DHB and other, better performing boards around the country.
Capital and Coast's chairwoman, Judith Aitken, also said the report did not recommend cutting doctor numbers.
"There never has been any secret whatsoever about the Sustainable Health Services Report," she said in a statement.
"It's production has been widely publicised at public meetings of the board, at community and business meetings, among our own medical staff and within the medical unions."
Ms Aitken said the report showed that "in theoretical terms" the DHB might have more full-time doctors than others but it noted the figures were "not absolute".
Mr Cunliffe said the current board had made no decisions based on the report, and none would be made until it was considered by the new board which is due to take over on December 10.
- NZPA
