What is the purpose of extending the Boards?

The purpose is to ensure that the HHS boards have an increased ability to reflect community perspectives and expertise in preparation for the new roles of District Health Boards. HHSs have been primarily concerned with operating the business of a hospital. DHBs will be charged with responding to the health needs of their populations.

What criteria were used for appointing new members?

We were looking for a good balance within each board of skills and of backgrounds. We wanted local people who are familiar with the board's communities, and who had a complementary set of skills to augment those held by existing members. We have also wanted to make sure that Maori, in particular, as well as Pacific people and more women had places at the board tables.

Why have some existing directors not been re-appointed?

Largely because we were looking for a broader mix of people. Those who have not been re-appointed should in no way take it as an indication of any criticism of their performance. On the contrary, they have all contributed significantly. However, because of the wider perspective of the new boards, a change of balance was required, and that has meant where some skills were covered by more than one person, one or more of those people has had to step aside. We were also very keen to lower the number of appointments from outside the regions covered by each individual board. We believe that as much as possible boards should have local membership, and only in special circumstances, where an individual has considerable experience, will members come from outside the region.

Are these people HHS directors or DHB board members?

We are working under existing legislation so they have to be Hospital and Health Service directors until new legislation is in place late this year. At that point Board Members will need to be appointed under the new Act. Most of the directors in place will be re-appointed as DHB members

Will they be interim-DHB board members ?

No, they will be appointed as DHB members, but their term will only be until after the 2001 local body elections, when communities will elect seven members. At that time there will also be some DHB members who will be appointed to work with the elected members. Some DHB members might be reappointed in November next year. Why would any of the HHS directors not be re-appointed as DHB board members ? Simply because we are still fine-tuning the Boards and there may still be a need for a few changes. The people being appointed and re-appointed now know this.

Are you expecting DHB directors to become elected representatives after the 2001 elections?

That is for the voters to decide. Some may wish to stand, some may not. These people are those we have chosen to do the job at this point.