A former chair of Health New Zealand says health crisis solutions won't be found in hospitals.

The health agency's appointed four deputy chief executives to be accountable for regional hospital services and budgets.

The Government last week appointed a Commissioner to take over its board, citing cost blow-outs.

Former chair Rob Campbell says hospitals are important - but they are the end stage of the healthcare.

"We need to be getting far more attention to both preventative health - public health measures for example - and to primary care, again the GPs and the other local services."

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