Do you want health funding spent on operations or catering?

The ODT reports:

The embattled Southern District Health Board has approved a 15-year deal with a multinational corporation for food services after facing down an acrimonious public at a board meeting in Dunedin yesterday. …

The move is expected to save about $466,666 every year for 15 years.

Those who are fighting this move are actually advocating for fewer people to get healthcare such as surgery.

There is a fixed amount available for each DHB. There is no magic money tree. The more money a DHB saves on administration and support services, the more they have available for doctors, nurses, operations etc.

I’m very glad to see a DHB making a hard decision and putting the interest of patients over the interests of the union.