Lester Levy resigns as chair of all three Auckland district health boards

Friday, 15 December 2017

The chairman of Auckland's three district health boards announced his resignation on Friday. 

Dr Lester Levy was appointed chairman at Counties Manukau in November last year, Auckland DHB in 2010 and Waitematā in 2009.

In an email sent to Waitematā DHB staff, Levy said he was resigning as he has reached the maximum period of service he could legally serve as chairman.

He will step down from all three DHBs in January 2018. 

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'When I was approached in 2016 to be appointed as chairman of all three metro Auckland DHBs, I accepted on the understanding that I would serve as chairman of all three only for as long as it was possible to do so by law.

'In line with this understanding and the original intention to have one chairman for all three metro Auckland DHBs, my term at all three DHBs will conclude when my Waitematā term finishes,' his email read.

Levy, who would have been chairman until June 2018, said he brought forward his finishing date to avoid 'any perceived conflicts' after being appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Health System set up by Health Minister David Clark. 

He will be one of five advisers working with Clark to lift the ministry's leadership and performance, strengthening relationships across the sector and helping deliver the Government's strategic direction for health, Levy said. 

Levy is also the chairman of the Health Research Council, Auckland Transport, and environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin + Taylor. 

Waitematā DHB chief executive Dale Bramley said the DHB owed Levy 'a debt of gratitude'. 

'Dr Levy's passion, drive and will to make things happen have been integral to each of these new facilities that have lifted the volume and quality of healthcare provided to the Waitematā community.'

Levy had overseen significant developments across the DHB in his almost-nine years, including appointing 1000 staff, opening a 24-hour emergency department at Waitakere Hospital, commissioning an Elective Surgery Centre at North Shore Hospital and expanding the children's wing at Waitakere, Bramley said.