Thanks for your OIA request you will receive a formal acknowledgement from us - kind regards diana

Diana Marriott
Communications Manager

Bay of Plenty District Health Board
DDI: 07 579 8029
[mobile number]
www.bopdhb.govt.nz

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Receipt of your email is acknowledged and a response will be made as soon as possible.

Kind regards,

Cherie Martin
Legal Executive
Governance & Quality / CEO Office
Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Private Bag 12024, Tauranga 3143
Ph: (07) 579 8545

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On behalf of Debbie Brown, Quality and Patient Safety Manager

 

 

Please find below response to your Official Information Act request dated
28 June 2018:

 

1.       Has a psychiatrist been suspended by BOP DHB since February 2018?

No                                                                                                            

 

2.       If so, was that psychiatrist Dr Sue Mackersey?

Not applicable

 

3.       If a psychiatrist has been suspended, does the suspension relate
to the alleged murder committed at  Tauranga Marae on or around 22nd
February 2018?

Not applicable

 

4.       Has there been a reduction in the number of permanent consultant
psychiatrists employed by BOP DHB since 2009?

Since 2009 permanent consultant psychiatrist Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
has increased by 3.4 FTE which is an increase of 33%

 

5.       How many locum psychiatrists are currently employed by BOP DHB?

As at the end of June we had 7 ranging from 0.05 FTE up to 1.0 FTE

 

6.       Are psychiatrists ever on call for both the Whakatane and
Tauranga units simultaneously? 

Yes, however this is only by agreement.  On call in Tauranga covered by
Tauranga based consultants. On call in Whakatane is a separate roster
(week days mainly covered by Whakatane based doctors and weekends by
either Whakatane based doctor or locum. If there is no cover in Whakatane
then the roster gap is advertised as extra duty. If this is not able to be
covered  then it will default to Tauranga to ensure there is some cover.

 

7.       If so, would the psychiatrist get paid double on call rates?

No the psychiatrist  would not get paid double on call rates. There is a
standard payment made for being available on a call roster. If and when
the doctor is called to provide clinical care (call-back) this time is 
paid for in addition to the availability payment. This would be the same
for both Tauranga and Whakatane call-backs.

 

8.       Did/does Dr Mackersey organise the on-call roster?

The on-call roster for Tauranga is organised by another psychiatrist not
Dr Mackersey and the on-call roster for Whakatane is organised by an
administrator.

 

9.       How much did the RAP Consulting report cost?

We are unable to quantify the cost of the report as it was completed as
part of an exploration and staff engagement exercise

 

10.   What were the key findings of the RAP consulting report?

We commissioned RAP Consulting in October 2017 to undertake some
exploration work to gain the perspectives of our staff working within the
Bay of Plenty DHB’s  Mental Health & Addictions Services at Tauranga and
Whakatane. Mental Health & Addictions Services teams have been under
significant pressure due to the growing volume and complexity of the work
demands on them, along with having to work in suboptimal accommodation and
enduring difficulties in recruiting expert staff.

 

In addition, there is a high level of risk of harm to staff who work in
our inpatient and community teams from assault by unwell clients and a
high degree of public criticism of the Mental Health system. All of these
factors have contributed to high levels of stress within the services and
the Executive Team wanted to give staff a safe place to share their
concerns, perspectives and opportunities for the future. With this
information, we expected to progress a series of improvements to improve
the wellbeing of our workforce, so that in turn they are best equipped to
serve the needs of our clients.

 

Whilst there is now a national review underway, which we wholly support,
we have also determined that a fresh focus on our current services is
required. It matters to us that staff feel valued, listened to and taken
care of – these were some of the issues of expressed concern from staff
that prompted the Exploration work.

 

A few months on we have a new sense of energy, positivity and opportunity
within the teams and are excited about what the future holds for the
services.

 

This work links to our organisational Creating our Culture programme which
is about creating a healthy work environment where everyone is valued,
appreciated and supported to give their best.

 

A summary of the outcomes, as shared with staff within the service, is
attached for your information. We would be happy to clarify any areas in
the presentation as required as we are providing this in good faith and
with the expectation that it is not misrepresented.

 

11.   Please could I have a copy of the RAP consulting report?

Request declined.

We believe this refusal is justified on a number of grounds, including but
not limited to:  

·             as necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons  (s
9(1)(a)); and

·            to enable the DHB as an organisation of the Crown holding the
information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations
(including commercial and industrial negotiations)” (s (9)(1)(j). 

 

 

Regards,

 

Cherie Martin

Legal Executive

Governance & Quality / CEO Office

Bay of Plenty District Health Board

Private Bag 12024, Tauranga 3143

Ph: (07) 579 8545

 

 

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