Media Release

26 November 2007

Media statement from Stephen McKernan – Director-General of Health regarding Hawke's Bay review

The Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan confirms the Ministry of Health's review into the handling of board member Peter Hausmann's conflicts of interest is still on-going and has yet to be finalised.

"Until the Ministry of Health obtains the final report from the review panel any comment on that report would be inappropriate," Mr McKernan says.

Mr McKernan has not seen the document that David Ritchie refers to in the Hawke's Bay Today article of 22 November but understands claims of vindication of the Hawke's Bay DHB board's handling of Mr Hausmann's conflicts of interest are premature.

The Ministry has confirmed with the Office of the Auditor-General that the OAG has not, at this stage, undertaken a formal inquiry into matters relating to Mr Hausmann.

Instead as part of its routine annual audit for 2006/07, the OAG reviewed the Hawke's Bay DHB's procurement policies and practices, including how it manages conflicts of interest generally.

The OAG has said the results of the annual audit will be used to decide if a further inquiry is needed.

Ends

For further information, please contact
Kelly McAra
Communications Advisor
Ph: 04 496 2141