‘Relief, anger and regret’
Waikato DHB chairman Bob Simcock has resigned, and is blaming his downfall on disgraced health boss Nigel Murray.
After weeks of speculation, Health Minister Dr David Clark announced yesterday he had accepted Simcock’s resignation.
His resignation as chair and board member were to take effect immediately.
Speaking exclusively to the Waikato Times, Simcock said the decision to step down was his alone.
His resignation was accompanied by feelings of relief, anger and regret.
‘‘I regret that we employed Nigel Murray four years ago,’’ Simcock said.
‘‘If I knew what I know now, we would not have employed Nigel Murray. Had he not done what he did, then I would be getting on with the business that we were trying to achieve.’’
Simcock has been under increasing pressure to go since Murray resigned as Waikato DHB chief executive on October 5.
Murray’s resignation came after a two-and-a-half-month investigation found evidence he misspent health dollars during his numerous trips, both abroad and within New Zealand.
Murray chalked up $218,166 in expenses during his three-year stint at the health board – including $71,811 in unauthorised spending.
Clark said Simcock’s resignation was the right decision under the circumstances.
In a statement, Clark said Waikato DHB’s deputy chair, Sally Webb, had agreed to step in as acting chair.
The State Services Commission is investigating allegations regarding Murray’s spending.
‘‘It’s still very important to fully review the findings from the State Services Commission’s investigation into allegations of wrongful expenditure of public money by the DHB’s former chief executive, Dr Nigel Murray,’’ Clark said.
‘‘I believe that Mr John Ombler QSO will provide an interim report early in 2018.’’
Simcock said Murray had damaged Waikato DHB’s reputation, especially in Wellington.
Simcock said his resignation was designed to allow the health board to draw a line under the Murray saga.
‘‘It’s always been, for me, about doing the right thing for the organisation and I just got to the point where I decided that the media coverage of the last long period had become so debilitating for the organisation,’’ Simcock said.
Simcock said the DHB had followed a robust process when hiring Murray. He also defended his oversight of Murray.
‘‘Certainly I spoke with Nigel several times a week, every week, but often that was by phone and, quite clearly now, it’s clear that he was travelling some of that time without my knowledge.’’
Simcock said he would continue his role on the Waikato Regional Council and believed he had the confidence of the public.
Despite his resignation, Simcock took pride in his achievements at the DHB. Under his leadership, Waikato Hospital had become more community focused.
Murray’s unauthorised spending includes allegations he paid rental car hire, international and domestic travel and accommodation expenses for two women.
Simcock came under fire for his handling of the investigation into Murray and for not providing adequate scrutiny of the chief executive’s spending.
Simcock initially resisted calls to step down, saying much of Murray’s questionable spending had not been authorised by him.
He also argued he had the full backing of the health board despite some members declining to endorse him.
In October, the heads of the country’s two big doctor unions called on him to step down.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell said serious questions were raised about Simcock’s judgment after he hired Murray in 2014 despite warnings from senior doctors.
New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union executive director Jordan Williams launched a petition urging Simcock to go and following his resignation called for the entire DHB to go.
‘‘There are very clearly major governance problems at the Waikato DHB, which let a CEO go totally rogue,’’ Williams said.
‘‘Given the recent issues which have come to light with sitting board member Mary Anne Gill, as well as the resignation, ultimately the Minister may have no option but to sack the whole DHB, and appoint a commissioner’’.
Simcock’s demise is not the first time he’s hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.
In 2010, he lost the Hamilton mayoralty by 956 votes to political novice Julie Hardaker.
Simcock was appointed mayor in 2007 following the resignation of Michael Redman and was elected to the role that same year, winning more than 50 per cent of vote.
However, Simcock’s short-lived mayoralty was marred by controversy due to his involvement and support of the Hamilton V8 street race.
The fallout from the V8 collapse saw Audit New Zealand deliver a damning report criticising the level of expenditure, governance structure and reporting processes.
Following his mayoral defeat, Simcock retired from the public eye but re-emerged in 2013 to contest a seat on the Waikato Regional Council.
Simcock won a seat on the council and was widely tipped to become the next regional council chairman but lost out to Paula Southgate.
That same year, Simcock was appointed to the health board by then health minister Tony Ryall, replacing Graeme Milne who stepped down after two terms in the job.
At the time, Simcock said he didn’t expect the role of health board chairman to add too much to his workload.
In 2014, Simcock requested a report into the DHB following the resignation of then chief executive Craig Climo.
The report, by the Health Ministry, gave a damning assessment of the DHB, saying staff were kept in the dark, communication between departments was poor and it was too slow to provide treatment.