Health Minister Dr Shane Reti is appointing a Crown observer to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, citing significant ongoing challenges around the 2022 health reforms.
Reti said today he had carefully considered the hard work that had gone into the establishment of Health NZ and the new Government was "resetting a clear focus on health outcomes".
“The Labour government failed to acknowledge a health crisis and failed in its duty to provide adequate oversight and support during a period of massive upheaval for health.
“I am confident that the appointment of a Crown observer will assist the HNZ Board and management to work with the board to overcome a range of issues, including health workforce and hospital wait times."
He said Ken Whelan would be appointed to the role, and would work with the board to ensure it delivered the outcomes expected by the coalition Government.
“Mr Whelan commences his role immediately, and will independently advise me through formal quarterly reporting, and other updates as necessary.
“He has more than 30 years of health care leadership experience and has previously served as a Crown monitor at Counties Manukau and Waikato DHBs.
“I want to reassure Health NZ staff that today’s appointment is not a reflection on their hard work for which all New Zealanders thank them. Mr Whelan’s role is to focus on the wider reform process and address a lack of oversight from the previous government."
Reti said Whelan's appointment would "assist and support" the board of Health NZ in refocusing on health outcomes.
“The health reforms were proclaimed by previous ministers as providing better health results for all New Zealanders but under the previous government have so far spent more money, achieved more bureaucracy and delivered little more than longer waiting lists, dire workforce shortages and worse outcomes."
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