Medical dean appointed to health review

UNIVERSITY of Otago Medical School dean Peter Crampton has been appointed to the panel conducting a review of New Zealand’s health and disability system.

‘‘It’s not a small task, it is a major task and it does feel daunting — but also exciting in equal measure,’’ Prof Crampton, who recently stepped down as Otago’s provicechancellor of health sciences, said.

‘‘I view it as an unusual opportunity — a onceinageneration opportunity, if that — to consider the system as a whole, in all its parts and complexity.

‘‘As a panel, I think we will need to go back to the fundamentals of the system: why is it there and who is it serving, and who is it not serving quite so well?’’

Health Minister David Clark announced the review — to be led by Heather Simpson, former chief of staff to exprime minister Helen Clark — in May.

Yesterday, Dr Clark released the final terms of reference for the review, and the names of the panellists joining Ms Simpson, whose background is in health economics.

As well as Prof Crampton, the panellists are Cancer Society WaikatoBay of Plenty chief executive officer Shelley Campbell, Mercy Radiology and Healthcare Holdings CEO Lloyd McCann, former Nursing Council chairwoman Margaret Southwick, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board senior manager Winfield Bennett, and former New Zealand Post CEO Sir Brian Roche.

‘‘The health sector will know these names well,’’ Dr Clark said.

‘‘There’s no way every interest can be represented on a panel of seven, but health leaders will recognise the reputation, competence and capability of this group.’’

Prof Crampton said among the perspectives he would bring to the panel were public health, the needs of diverse communities, primary healthcare, and Maori and Pacific Island health needs.

‘‘I am very optimistic going in to this that we can make a difference,’’ he said.

‘‘It feels like a great honour and a privilege, and one which I will take very seriously.’’

The terms of reference for the review were deliberately wide, and had been expanded since the draft was released to allow a more thorough assessment of the disability sector, Dr Clark said.

The panel is to report back no later than March 31, 2020.