21 Aug 2020

Canterbury DHB facing exodus of senior staff

From Morning Report, 7:46 am on 21 August 2020

The exodus of senior leaders is continuing at the embattled Canterbury District Health Board in a deepening row over its deficit.

Canterbury DHB is in the red to the tune of $180 million and its board and senior management can't agree about what should be done about it.

Tensions have sparked seven resignations to date, including that of the chief executive, David Meates, and just yesterday that of the nursing director, Mary Gordon.

Staff said they are deeply worried that cuts will force job losses and reduce services, at a challenging time during Covid-19.

Chief of Medicine at Christchurch Hospital David Smyth speaks to Corin Dann.