Main Navigation Links
October Updates
New Board elected
The voters have spoken, and their decision will see a mix of familiar and new faces around the Capital & Coast DHB board table for the next three years.
The Board sets the DHB’s priorities, goals and strategies – and also has the final say on any major planning, funding, financial or service related proposals.
Seven of its members are voted in by the public, with the Minister appointing up to four additional Board members – and deciding who among those elected and appointed members will fill the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair.
Returning Board members
Four members of the current Board contested the 2007 election, and all four were re-elected.
- Judith Aitken, Chair of the Board during 2007, will serve her third term on the Board. She was the highest polling candidate, and campaigned on a platform that good health and thoughtful care must be readily accessible to all in need. She is committed to the DHB becoming widely respected for its services which are high quality, readily accessible and financially sustainable. Judith wants C&C DHB to be the best place to go for modern, safe, responsive care, and the best place to work.
- Margaret Faulkner, from Porirua, has around ten years experience as an advocate for high quality health care in this region. Her commitment to working for common-sense health solutions is backed up by her strong experience as a nurse, in private hospital management and in NZ War Pensions management. Margaret believes that community participation is an essential element in finding practical and realistic solutions to the challenges facing the DHB.
- Helene Ritchie, who was also re-elected to Wellington City Council, is the longest-serving councillor, and was the city’s first female Deputy Mayor. She is also a registered psychologist and a former Regional Councillor. Helene believes the next three years will be a time of action and improvement for home and community support services, mental health; and specific certain hospital services.
- Ruth Gotlieb has served the people of Wellington for many years; as a city councillor, regional councillor, on the harbour board and on the DHB. She says a clear highlight of the next three years will be the completion of the new regional Hospital, which will provide an efficient, well run health service for the entire region.
New Board members
The returning members will be joined at the Board table by three first-time C&C DHB Board members:
- Virginia Hope is a public health doctor, and was a former Medical Officer of Health for Auckland. Dr Hope is also a former Board member of Auckland DHB, who now holds a senior role at ESR working on issues of biosecurity and infectious diseases. Virginia is a strong believer in early intervention and the prevention of ill-health, and believes it is important it is to get the best value for money we can achieve from our health dollar.
- Peter Roberts is the clinical leader of Internal Medicine at C&C DHB, and 2008 will mark his 30th year as a doctor at Wellington and Kenepuru hospitals. Dr Roberts is the author of a published book on patient safety, and in addition to his medical qualifications holds a Masters in Public policy. Peter believes that a key role of the DHB Board is to ensure that management and health professionals value their patients’ well-being above all else.
- Donald Urquhart-Hay worked as a surgeon at Wellington Hospital for 35 years, and at Palmerston North Hospital for 5 years. Mister Urquhart-Hay is a medical advisor to ACC and WINZ, and has a long-standing involvement with St John Ambulance. Donald believes District Health Boards must ensure the health system is adequate, fair and matches public expectations.
The Minister of Health will soon appoint up to another four members to the Board to balance any gaps in skills, experience or representation.
The new Board will officially take over the reins from the existing one on December 10 2007.
Let us know
If there are issues you would like to raise with us, or subjects you would like us to cover in future Updates, just write to: The Chair, C&C DHB, Private Bag 7902, Wellington or send an email to: info@ccdhb.org.nz
Footer Links
