Dual roles for some DHB members

Almost half of the Canterbury District Health Board is now made up of sitting city councillors.

There were seven positions to fill on the health board, and progress results released on Saturday show three seats will now be occupied by James Gough, Aaron Keown and Catherine Chu. All three were all also elected to the Christchurch City Council.

Andrew Dickerson, Jo Kane and Sally Buck, who was also re-elected to the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board, have retained their seats. Anna Crighton was the only incumbent to be ousted.

Experienced nurse Naomi Marshall joins newcomers Gough and Chu, who was previously on the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board.

Former board members Chris Mene and David Morrell decided not to seek re-election.

A total of 23 people put their names forward to be on the health board, which commands a $1.5 billion budget and employs more than 9500 staff. Since the earthquakes, the CDHB has struggled with damaged facilities, soaring demand for mental health services, and population growth beyond what was forecast, placing huge pressure on hospital bed numbers.

While board members contend that the CDHB is not fairly funded, the deficits have continued to rise, reaching about $109 million in 2018-19. Health Minister David Clark refused to sign off the annual plan that year and has appointed a Crown monitor to the board over financial concerns.