DHB boss’s spending questioned
Waikato District Health Board chief executive Nigel Murray is under scrutiny over alleged unauthorised spending.
It’s understood board members were advised of the spending irregularities at a special meeting on Wednesday.
DHB chairman Bob Simcock on Sunday declined to detail what was discussed at the meeting and would only say the meeting related to a ‘‘confidential human resource issue’’.
‘‘The whole meeting was protected by legal and professional privilege, so I can’t say at this time anything more than that.’’
Murray’s response was limited also, saying on Sunday ‘‘I welcome any inquiry into my DHB expenses and will participate fully with any investigation.’’
The Government is currently considering a joint proposal by the health board and Waikato University to create the country’s third med school.
Labour List MP Sue Moroney didn’t know what impact the allegations against Murray would have on the med school bid.
Moroney said she was unsure how serious the claims against him were.
The DHB disclosed Murray’s expenses – for the 2014/15 and 2015/16 financial years – more than two years late, even though the State Services Commission requires them annually.
Moroney said Murray’s previous spending records revealed ‘‘surprisingly high’’ levels of spending.
In the two financial years, he spent $108,152 on domestic and international travel and accommodation. Relocation costs from Canada to Hamilton cost $23,730 and $11,710 was spent on early arrival accommodation costs.
His nine overseas trips to the United States and Australia cost $36,429. Sixty-one domestic trips, mostly to Wellington, cost $33,639.
Thirty-one other expenses in the year to June 2015 amounted to $1374.
‘‘It’s that time of year when DHBs have to declare their annual returns and I understand that the DHB couldn’t complete a credible set of financial returns because of the unauthorised spending by the CEO,’’ Moroney said.
‘‘We have patients in corridors and waiting in ambulances to be seen, and now we’ve got allegations of unauthorised spending. That’s the worst look about this.’’
Waikato University ViceChancellor Professor Neil Quigley said the med school bid had widespread endorsement among board members and senior staff at the health board and university.
The success of the bid didn’t rest with any individual.
‘‘It doesn’t pay to personalise it too much. In purely practical terms, the Government is treating the [med school] proposal as a tertiary education funding request, because the Tertiary Education Commission has taken the lead on investigating our proposal,’’ Quigley said.
‘‘So that means from the Government’s point of view, it is the university that has the lead on it.’’
Waikato District Health Board member Pippa Mahood wouldn’t discuss the allegations against Murray, saying she didn’t respond to ‘‘rumours’’.
It was up to Simcock to keep everyone informed, she said.
‘‘Who knows where all this is going and what it involves,’’ Mahood said.
‘‘I don’t think it will be anything more that just something where there’s been some misunderstanding and some sorting out can be done and we all carry on.’’
Mahood was confident any investigation wouldn’t affect the Waikato’s med school bid.
‘‘I thought, I wonder if this will have an impact on the major things we’re doing in this area? But I came back to rational thinking.
‘‘We will move into Monday and find out a lot more about whether this is someone whinging off or something that’s real.’’
Health board member Martin Gallagher declined to comment on the matter, referring all questions to Simcock.
Gallagher also wouldn’t speculate on the possible impact an investigation might have on the medical school bid.
‘‘I remain a very strong supporter of the Waikato medical school bid, which the whole board is pursuing.’’
National Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe remains staunchly supportive of the Waikato med school proposal.
Any investigation into Murray’s spending was completely unrelated to the bid, he said.
Macindoe said he’d be disappointed if anyone from outside the Waikato tried to use recent developments to undermine the proposal.
‘‘I think the Waikato proposal has been well researched and compiled with a very good business case over a long period of time and addresses some significant issues and I hope it will continue to be given all the consideration it [deserves].’’
National Hamilton East MP David Bennett said he also continues to endorse the Waikato proposal.