Ryall appoints new Otago DHB Chair

As widely expected Tony Ryall has replaced the Chair of the Otago DHB. His PR said:

This afternoon Mr Ryall announced he has removed Richard Thomson from the position of appointed Chair of the Otago District Health Board.

“During Mr Thomson’s chairmanship, the largest fraud in New Zealand State Services history was taking place at Otago DHB. $17 million was defrauded over 6 years,” said Mr Ryall. …

Mr Ryall also announced that Mr Errol Millar, an appointed member of the Otago District Health Board will take up the role of Chair immediately.

Mr Millar was appointed to the Otago DHB in 2007, having been appointed to the Southland DHB in 2002 and 2004. He was also Chair of the Airways Corporation 2001-2004, and is currently Deputy Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority. …

Mr Thomson remains an elected member of the Otago District Health Board.

This isn’t about blame or responsibility for the fraud – but accountability.

As I blogged a few weeks ago, the Board does have some accountability for this. Their goverance was sub-standard in my opinion. They should have had policies around competitive tenders etc.