24 Apr 2019

Waikato DHB meeting to discuss Health Minister's criticisms

11:19 am on 24 April 2019

A members-only meeting will discuss the future of the Waikato District Health Board today, as they face a proposal by the Health Minister to get rid of them.

Waikato Hospital

Waikato Hospital. Photo: Waikato DHB / Facebook

David Clark this month told the board he was seriously dissatisfied with its performance, increasingly worried about its forecast $56m deficit and governance.

The board has until 3 May to respond or the minister has said he would sack the board and appoint a commissioner instead.

Board members and senior doctors have been at odds over how to respond.

The board is to meet to discuss its response today, but members are remaining tight-lipped about what that may look like.

One member, Dave Macpherson, has warned the minister that a commissioner would not solve the board's problems.