Currently there are 20 DHBs (15 North Island and five South Island) which need to be culled to six as follows: Auckland Super City, Northern (Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty), Central, Wellington/Marlborough, Canterbury, Southern.

We have 40 public hospitals with 50,000 nurses which equates to about 1050 nurses per 100,000 people (not patients). The DHBs average 240,000 people each, which is way over the top when compared to overseas. The largest three in Auckland and Canterbury cater for 500,000 people each, while smallest West Coast caters for only 30,000 people.

Analysis shows that by limiting DHBs to six, we can dispense with 14 CEOs and associated pointy-head bean counters and costs. Then cut the nursing staff levels by 10 per cent while immediately increasing remainders' wages by 10 per cent pa and improve working conditions where applicable. All resulting hopefully in a fair day's work and increased productivity. Good outcomes achieved for virtually zilch with a cost saving of $520 million to taxpayers. Apply the same formula to the PSA, police, teachers and others who want to climb on the wages bandwagon.

Now, doesn't that look like an eminently fair and equitable win-win solution? Unfortunately there is no show of that winner flying with socialist, leftist-leaning politicians.

R Paterson, Matapihi.