6. Canterbury District Health Board—Financial Review and FundingDr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister of HealthCanterbury District Health Board—Financial Review and Funding6. Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister of Health: Does he support the establishment of a cross-agency working group with Canterbury District Health Board on their finances funding and facilities?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): At the same time as the Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) is providing excellent clinical services to the people of the region there is a clear path forward on the financial front as described in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. A range of Government agencies have had input over a long period and it would be redundant to establish a group to relitigate decisions. The Government has supported Canterbury DHB by increasing its funding in 2017-18 to almost $1.5 billion an increase of $73 million on the previous year. In addition to this the Government has provided an extra $106 million to support health services following the earthquakes. The Government has also significantly invested close to $1 billion in new or redeveloped facilities for the district health board.Dr David Clark: In light of that answer does he think that Canterbury DHB is adequately funded?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The DHB is funded just like every other district health board according to the population-based funding formula. It is providing more appointments more operations and more doctors and nurses year by year.Dr David Clark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a very simple direct question and I do not believe—Mr SPEAKER: Can I refer the member—it would be helpful if he looked at Speaker's ruling 195/6. When he asks for an opinion in a question like that he is unlikely to get an exact answer that will satisfy the member who has asked the question. The question was definitely addressed.Dr David Clark: On whose authority did his director-general tell Canterbury and other DHBs they could keep funding that was incorrectly allocated to them in Budget announcements?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The director-general is responsible for his own statements but certainly that was not my view. I am pretty clear about that am I not?Dr David Clark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did not hear what the Minister said—and there was silence Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: Then can I suggest when the member asks a question that instead of interrupting he listen to the answer. I heard the answer but I am going to be generous to the member. I am going to ask him to ask his question again to allow the Minister to reply. If he listens and does not have interjections from his colleagues I am sure he will then hear the answer and he will know that the question has been addressed. On this occasion repeat the question.Dr David Clark: On whose authority did his director-general tell Canterbury and other DHBs they could keep funding that was incorrectly allocated to them in Budget announcements?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well there is only me and him so if it was not me it must have been him.Dr David Clark: Now that he has had a copy of Paula Rebstock's draft performance report in his office for more than a month can he tell the House what he expects its main findings to be?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: You will have to be specific about the report you are referring to; I am not sure what you have had leaked.Dr David Clark: I seek leave to table a document where the Minister admits he has scanned skimmed and looked through the performance review in response to a question about precisely this in Parliament. It is a transcript not available but prepared in my office in relation to his oral question on 21 June.Mr SPEAKER: On the basis of the answer given I will put the leave. The House will decide whether that transcript may be of use. Leave is sought to table that particular transcript. Is there any objection? There is objection.Hon Michael Woodhouse: What other reports has he had on the provision of health services in the South Island?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I had a report yesterday in the House from a Dr David Clark stating that at one point on the afternoon of 25 July there was not a single ICU bed available in the whole of the South Island". Naturally concerned I sought to verify this very serious claim. Officials ran around and came back to me in double quick time to assure me that in fact South Canterbury and Canterbury both had ICU beds available on that date and there was capacity in the South Island to take transfers from other DHBs if required. Of course a parliamentary colleague would never make figures up so sadly it seems—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I do not think I need to hear any more of that answer.Dr David Clark: Does he have confidence in the Director-General of Health?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Yes I do but I have no confidence in—Mr SPEAKER: Order! We do not need that. We do not need the latter part.Dr David Clark: In light of that answer is he aware that in half an hour's time the leadership of the Canterbury DHB is preparing to meet with the State Services Commissioner in relation to a formal complaint about his director-general?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I am aware of that but I would not believe it if the only source of that statement was you."