It is not yet known who will chair the new Southern District Health Board from May to the local government elections.
Both Otago board chairman Errol Millar and Southland's chairman Paul Menzies, who were appointed last year, have indicated they would be willing to do the job if asked.
Health Minister Tony Ryall will appoint a chairman and deputy to the new board before April 30, but there is no indication yet of how soon those appointments will be made.
Existing appointed and elected members will continue to serve until the October elections, the minister's office confirmed yesterday.
It is also likely the crown monitor appointed to the Southland board, Stuart McLauchlan, will transfer to the interim board.
If all existing members of the boards remain, along with Mr McLauchlan, the interim board would have 21 members.
Ministerial appointees Susie Johnstone and Tahu Potiki already serve on both boards and Mrs Johnstone is also the deputy chairwoman for both.
• Yesterday, Southland senior doctors expressed disappointment at the decision to approve the merger, saying their concerns had not been addressed.
Their representative, Dr Charles Luecker, said the doctors were particularly sceptical about the effectiveness of Southland's representation within the new structure.
The doctors were committed to maintaining the best possible clinical services to the Southland community.
This meant ensuring that the clinical voice was heard and that the assurances given by board and management about maintaining services and encouraging active collaboration between the Southland and Otago clinicians were fulfilled.
