Legal eye on computer deal

By Vanessa Bidois

HAMILTON - A leading law firm will investigate how Health Waikato decided to buy an $11 million computer system.

The chief executive, Dr Jan White, said a team from Bell Gully would review the decision to buy the Shared Medical Systems network. The review is expected to take about a month.

The chairwoman of the Waikato Coalition for Public Health, Sue Moroney, said the credibility of the review would be determined by the terms of reference.

"Exactly what they are reviewing and how they are going to go about it are probably more important issues for us than the name of the company that's doing it," she said.

"We also believe the findings of the review ... ought to be made public as the investigation has been brought about by public pressure."

Several resignations from Health Waikato have been linked to the purchase, while problems with the American-designed SMS system at Capital Coast Health in Wellington are being investigated by the Audit Office.

The Bell Gully team will report to a steering committee made up of the finance subcommittee of the board of Health Waikato and the executive director of the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit.

The Audit Office will be involved to give advice.

Dr White said Bell Gully was committed to producing a comprehensive and independent review of the SMS contract.

"I am confident that they will provide a report that deals with any concerns that may exist and answers questions that have been raised."