Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Bramley praises crisis response
Peter Bramley’s leadership of Nelson Marlborough Health hasn’t been without its challenges, but as he moves south he says there’s been some big leaps forward.
Bramley led the health response teams during Tasman’s Pigeon Valley fires and the Covid outbreak in the region. The departing chief executive said one thing was evident during those times of crisis, ‘‘our community agencies worked together to support the community’’.
One of the greatest achievements during his tenure, he said, was supporting the most vulnerable.
‘‘Particularly in terms of equity ... closing that health equity gap ... supporting Ma¯ ori, Pasifika, and former refugees in our community. I’ve loved the partnership with iwi, the work that our Ma¯ ori health provider is doing.’’
Bramley said there had also been a focus on mental health, when historically, physical health needs had been a focal point.
‘‘Hopefully I’ve made a difference. The teams have done an amazing job trying to get resources to those in our community who are most at need and have got probably, some of the biggest health challenges.’’
Bramley is set to return to Christchurch to head the Canterbury and West Coast DHB. He has been in Nelson for more than 10 years, seven of those as general manager of clinical services before stepping in as interim chief executive before taking the top job in 2017.
In 2021, the health system has a few hurdles to overcome, including a possible reform of the country’s DHBs and a Covid vaccination roll-out, but Bramley remained positive about both.
He said the possible reform of the country’s DHBs prompted by Heather Simpson’s review, meant there would be a shake-up – ‘‘there’s no question about that’’.
‘‘Hopefully whatever gets announced is going to help us all do the job smarter.’’
He said it could affect leadership and management roles but ‘‘for most people, hopefully we get a better configured health service; our community needs it every day, so most things aren’t going to change in that regard’’.
During Covid’s peak in New Zealand last year, Bramley said Nelson Marlborough had more than 50 cases early on, but while he admitted the region was ‘‘pretty vulnerable’’ initially, it had since become well-prepared including more ventilators and respirators, increasing PPE supplies and educating staff.
The ‘‘big challenge now’’ was the vaccination programme, which would be coming to a head just as the measles and flu vaccines were also necessary, he said.
Nelson Marlborough District Health Board chair Jenny Black wished Bramley well in his new role because he was ‘‘the right person to lead Canterbury at this stage’’.
‘‘That’s the plus and minus of a very successful CEO. You grow them so they are able to take on bigger challenges ... we are sad to see him go.’’
She said he had the perfect traits of a manager owing to his people skills.
‘‘He gets the best out of people because of the way he engages with them. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about.’’
Bramley was always thinking of surrounding staff, she said.
‘‘It’s not about his success it’s about the team and organisation’s success. He lets individuals shine.’’