DHB cancels Ko Awatea events
An education hub is the first casualty of ‘‘belt-tightening’’ at one of the country’s biggest health boards.
Counties Manukau Health is making changes to its Ko Awatea initiative, including the cancellation of events due to financial challenges, its acting chief executive says.
Dr Gloria Johnson says the board is looking to live within its means due to budget pressures and is starting with Ko Awatea, the innovative arm of Middlemore Hospital.
The cuts come after a warning from board chair Lester Levy about the DHB’s financial position earlier this month.
Ko Awatea has an annual operating budget of $17.5 million, according to figures in its latest board agenda.
‘‘This decision reflects the board’s intent to focus more clearly on its core clinical services, both hospital and community, for its population,’’ Johnson says.
Ko Awatea was scheduled to host TEDxManukau in July and the Asia Pacific Annual Forum (APAC) in Queensland in September, but the board has now cancelled both events.
Johnson says the decision is a result of the board’s financial con- straints and that there are concerns it was a financial risk to run the forum.
The cancellations were made in the same week as the announcement of the resignation of Ko Awatea director Jonathon Gray, who Johnson says is moving back to the United Kingdom.
His resignation follows three departures from the health board’s executive leadership team this year, including chief executive Geraint Martin, who left in May after 11 years.
‘‘There has been some change in the executive team,’’ Johnson says. ‘‘However, very good progress is being made on filling these leadership positions.’’
In a previous email to staff, Levy says he was worried about the organisation’s financial future and that ‘‘belt-tightening’’ was inevitable.
He says the board is reviewing its services, including the Ko Awatea centre’s proposed $9 million extension, which he says is a significant expense the board can’t afford.
The extension involves a 250-seat lecture theatre, creative spaces, and additional carparks, which building work has already started on.