The Canterbury District Health Board is being asked to cut costs to reduce a ballooning deficit.
Christchurch Hospital Photo: RNZ / Andrew Collins
The recommendation has come in a report commissioned by the Ministry of Health, which predicted the board would post a $38 million deficit this financial year.
The report blamed spending on $1 billion worth of new hospital facilities, including Burwood, the Acute Services Building and the outpatients facility.
It recommended tighter financial management, a review of spending and looking at leasing buildings instead of owning them.
If the board did not follow its advice, the report predicted a deficit of $46m by 2021.