The position of Chairman of Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) will not be refilled by Alister James, as confirmed by him.

Speaking at a meeting on Friday James told his board of members that it was his final update. He added that the new appointments would be declared on Tuesday.

Jo Kane, an outgoing board member spoke in praise of James and stated that the community was lucky to have him and he had to be amazed at the fact that he was being replaced.

She said, “The decision to replace James shows how politically motivated the appointments are”.

The members of the board applauded James for his honesty and integrity and for his time and hard work he put in during his Chairmanship of the board.

James could be replaced by Christchurch GP Dr. Paul McCormack, but it was wholly the minister’s selection as whom to appoint, as expressed by Labour health spokeswoman Ruth Dyson. He added that it was an act of insulting someone by not giving explanation and it showed that the person’s work was not recognized.

James carried out his duty meticulously by delivering Government policy, without taking into consideration which Government ruled and that showed he was a qualitative public service man, expressed Dyson.