The Counties Manukau board had not even known of the offer from Ronald McDonald Charities before it was turned down. Photo / File
Editorial
Like experts in many things, doctors specialising in the study of "public health" are prone to tunnel vision. In their determination to counter the damage done by smoking, drinking, sugar, fast foods or anything else harmful to many, they are inclined to ignore all other considerations.
That is what happened
when two of the country's district health boards declined offers of a Ronald McDonald House for their hospitals.
It turns out these decisions were not made by the boards of the Counties Manukau and Southern DHBs but by executives who deferred to their public health physicians. Today we reveal the board of Counties Manukau has stepped in to "review" its executive team's decision.
Not before time. The spurning of offers from Ronald McDonald House Charities has been widely criticised among the public, who constantly hear that DHBs are strapped for cash.
Only ideologues reject a valuable offer because it also serves a commercial purpose.
Of course, these houses providing accommodation for the families of sick children are funded by McDonalds for its public relations, but the houses serve a social need and the ideologues of public heath need to credit the public with common sense. It is possible to appreciate the accommodation without losing sight of the risks posed by eating too many hamburgers.
