Health New Zealand's boss says his plan is to strengthen the clinical frontline - and it won't be cut or reduced.

Commissioner Lester Levy has emailed staff to address a presentation yesterday, that suggested significant frontline cuts.

He told them that directly conflicts with his thinking, and should be dismissed.

Auckland University Emeritus Professor Des Gorman says it implies a disconnect between the Commissioner and senior officials.

"And I think we're seeing that across all the health portfolios, that the various health ministers are struggling against officials' headwinds. And I think they're all finding it much harder to introduce changes than they thought they would."

LISTEN ABOVE

Health New Zealand's boss says his plan is to strengthen the clinical frontline - and it won't be cut or reduced.
Commissioner Lester Levy has emailed staff to address a presentation yesterday, that suggested significant frontline cuts.
He told them that directly conflicts with his thinking, and should be dismissed.
Auckland University Emeritus Professor Des Gorman says it implies a disconnect between the Commissioner and senior officials.
"And I think we're seeing that across all the health portfolios, that the various health ministers are struggling against officials' headwinds. And I think they're all finding it much harder to introduce changes than they thought they would."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Des Gorman: Auckland University Emeritus Professor on Health NZ Commissioner Lester Levy's planned overhaul for the health system

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/336471b7-f632-4476-9bbe-b1cc0055c669/transcript