Doctors lash Hodgson

Goodness – Pete Hodgson really seems to have riled the doctors’ union. Normally when a Minister retires, they find at least something nice to say. But instead we got:

“His behaviour and inertia in response to advice and alarm from many groups of doctors is mind-boggling,” Dr Brown told the association’s annual meeting in Wellington yesterday.

Health professional-led networks were the best way of improving patient care, yet despite numerous pleas from doctors’ organisations, Mr Hodgson had allowed boards to exclude senior doctors from any initiatives for joint or regional collaboration, he said.

It’s amazing what a difference a Minister can make. Annette King kept the sector groups happy so much better than Hodgson. At least this will make Cunliffe’s job easier – they now have lower expectations.