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Dave Meates led the Canterbury healthcare system through difficult times, built a “can do” culture, and demonstrated “true leadership.”
This was the verdict on the outgoing executive director of the district health board of staff and members of the public, who formed an honor guard on Wednesday to recognize his 12 years of service.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Outgoing Canterbury Board of Health Chief David Meates receives a standing ovation and a guard of honor.
Meates resigned on August 4 and Friday is his last day.
Hundreds of people lined Oxford Terrace, clapping as Meates walked briskly, flanked by other members of the executive management team.
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He stopped just once to bring flowers to wheelchair user Mary Harding, 91, and her daughter, Emma Harding.
Emma Harding said she came to thank Meates for the care her elderly parents had received from the CDHB staff, allowing them to stay in their own home.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Mary Harding, 91, and her daughter Emma Harding attended to thank David Meates for his work for 12 years.
The procession followed the distribution of Meates’s final bulletin to staff on Monday, in which he blamed post-earthquake government policies for DHB’s $ 180 million shortfall.
Hours earlier in Wellington, Health Minister Chris Hipkins wished Meates the best, but made it clear that he did not agree with his assessment of Canterbury’s financial situation.
The CDHB deficit accounted for about a third of all deficits in the country and needed to be addressed, Hipkins said.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Hundreds of employees and members of the public turned out for the honor guard.
His comments support Crown monitor Lester Levy, who said DHB’s finances were in a “terrible state” and that the deficit would be less if action had been taken earlier.
Leaked minutes from a July 16 board meeting reveal that all DHBs were told to reduce their deficits to zero within two years.
CDHB Chairman Sir John Hansen told board members that the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Michelle Arrowsmith, responsible for DHB’s performance, support and infrastructure, expected the board to cut $ 90 million from the deficit in one year.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Health Minister Chris Hipkins wished David Meates the best, but says his advice from the Ministry of Health and Treasury does not support Meates’ assessment of the reasons for the large CDHB deficit.
Press room reported Wednesday Arrowsmith resigned on Friday. The Health Ministry declined to comment.
A spokeswoman said Stuff the ministry “does not offer savings proposals for DHBs.”
“We worked with the DHBs to understand their preliminary plans, including the assumptions made as part of the development of these plans.”
He did not respond when asked to explain the July 16 meeting, in which an extensive discussion about the cost-saving proposal was discussed with CDHB staff, the board and Crown monitor Lester Levy.
A member of the honor guard emergency department staff, who declined to be named, said Meates had transformed the organization’s culture during his tenure.
“Before you would walk into a room and see a problem, now we approach things with a ‘can do’ attitude.”
Meates’ resignation was “totally unnecessary,” he said.
The isolation facility nurse, Nicole Smit, said Meates had been “such a valuable asset.”
“It has helped us overcome quite difficult moments … [guard of honour] it’s the least we can do. “
Tony Green, who is a member of the Canterbury Muslim community, said Meates’s departure was a “tremendous loss” and represented an “astonishing lack of listening” from Wellington.
