A relatively new, high ranking staffer from ACC is being seconded to Health NZ, bosses say. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A top ACC boss just five months into his job has been headhunted - temporarily - by Health NZ following a senior leadership exodus, despite ACC facing its own government scrutiny.
In September John Bennett was appointed as ACC's deputy chief executive of system commissioning and performance, following a restructure at the Crown entity which saw 300 jobs slashed.
ACC chief executive Megan Main said Bennett's secondment was confirmed on Wednesday - he would shift to Health NZ (HNZ) as the strategic advisor and performance lead for the interim chief executive, at the request of Health Commissioner Lester Levy.
The move followed a string of senior leadership resignations at HNZ within a week, earlier this month: chief executive Margie Apa, director-general of health Diana Sarfati and director of public health Nicholas Jones.
Main said she agreed Bennett could move to HNZ from Monday 24 February, until the end of June.
"HNZ are in a period of change and reform, and the Commissioner of Health NZ has requested John's support on performance, strategy and delivery of key ministerial targets," Main said.
"John has extensive experience of health system performance management and at a crucial time in HNZ's journey, his input will benefit both HNZ and ACC."
Bennett's secondment would strengthen how the agencies work together, given the common pressures they faced, Main said.
HNZ acting chief executive Dr Dale Bramley said Bennett would support the executive leadership team as it prioritises improving patient outcomes and reducing wait times.
"As HNZ steps up its delivery of clinical services over the next few months, we need experts on board with specific skills and experience, particularly working at scale," he said.
"John ... will be with us over the coming months bringing more expertise to help us on performance across both commissioning and delivery."
The decision to appoint Bennett was made by both Levy and Bramley, and they were grateful to ACC and its executive team, Bramley said.
'It's a bit mad' - ACC staffer
An ACC staff member, who did not want to be named, questioned the timing of an executive team member stepping away while it was under government scrutiny with climbing costs and falling rehabilitation rates.
"It's a bit mad," they said.
Two separate government reviews are probing ACC's operational performance and investment strategy.
Last week ACC minister Andrew Bayly said the entire scheme was at risk if things did not improve.
Its performance had steadily decreased during the last decade, he said.
"Costs are up, with levies struggling to keep up. Meanwhile, rehabilitation rates are down, slowing down people's return to independence following an accident.
"Clearly if this trend is left unabated, the viability of the scheme is at risk, saddling future generations with immense costs."
While Bennett is at HNZ, Chris Ash would step up to replace him, Main said:
"Chris has significant experience across the health sector in both New Zealand and the UK and will continue to advance our commissioning strategy and leverage our position in the health sector to improve ACC's performance."
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