SDHB deficit down $11.5m
DESPITE some tough challenges, the Southern District Health Board has reduced its previous deficit by about $11.5 million.
Chief executive Chris Fleming said overall improvements had contributed to the better financial performance. Reducing elective surgery had not played a part, he said.
On the contrary, if the board had been able to undertake more elective procedures, it would have been in a stronger financial position through being able to access further funding if related targets had been met, he told the ODT.
He was speaking after the SDHB’s hospital advisory committee meeting this week, which was told despite a projected deficit of $35.9 million for the 201516 financial year, the final result had been a $33.5 million deficit.
For the 201617 year the final deficit was expected to be $21,836,000, less than the budgeted figure, and a positive outcome under the circumstances, Mr Fleming said.
He acknowledged strike action by junior doctors, also known as resident medical officers, had been among the challenges last year.
The strikes ‘‘did impact’’ some planned activities and had a ‘‘significant flowon effect’’.
john.gibb@odt.co.nz