Southern District Health Board
Dunedin Hospital
201 Great King Street
Private Bag 1921
DUNEDIN 9054
Chief Executive Officer
16 November 2018
Phone 03-476 9456 Fax 03-476 9450
Thai Quoc Khanh
Email:
[FYI request #8924 email]
Dear Mr Khanh
Re:
Official Information Act Request
I refer to your Official Information Act request received by email on24 October 2018 in which you
specifically requested the following:
Could you please provide me more information on the regulation or government policies on controlling
deficit at DHB?
National policy on DHB financial operations are contained in the Operational Policy Framework (OPF)
2018/19 (Chapter 12). Please see link below.
https://nsfl.health.govt.nz/accountability/operational-policy-framework-0/operational-policy-
framework-201819
How these deficits have affected your operation?
SDHB receives deficit support from the Ministry of Health to ensure a sound cash position. We are
striving to improve operational efficiency to reach a sustainable financial position, which will allow us
to increase investment in facilities and services for our community.
Have your DHB received any types of financial supports to reduce deficit and improve the financial
status.
The Ministry of Health provides cash in the form of equity to support DHBs where operating deficits
affect their working capital. However, this does not constitute a reduction in their deficit. See also
information about deficit support in the OPF (Chapter 12).
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of our decision by the Ombudsman. The
Ombudsman's Office can be contacted on 0800 802 602 or on-line at
http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/. Yours sincerely
Chris Fleming,
Chief Executive Officer
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