OPINION: Dear Bob,

We need to talk.

Last week I wrote a column seeking the resignation of both you and Nigel Murray. As they say, one down, one to go.

That column was pulled from publication as events quickly escalated making redundant my call for you and Waikato District Health Board CEO Nigel Murray to walk.

Following the board meeting last week, it was announced the DHB had accepted Murray's resignation from his $560,000+ salaried position.

He decided (at last) to make a sound decision affecting the district health board and taxpayers. It may be one of the few he ever made.

But at least he's gone and we get some of our overspent money back as Murray now owes taxpayers a stack of cash. But he should never have been appointed.

New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association national secretary Deborah Powell said members expressed concerns over Murray's perceived leadership qualities and his record as head of Fraser Health in Canada. "There were flashing alarm bells going and Bob Simcock just disregarded them," Powell said.

"If Bob remains then the risk of another bad appointment increases as a consequence." And this, Bob, is the problem – the chance for another balls-up on your watch.

Let me be clear, few Hamiltonians are your supporters right now, Bob, and I'd be prepared to wager that few in the health sector at Waikato Hospital are backing you to stay. In fact, the doctors' unions are seeking your resignation, too.

So this column is written for them, for the people who are embarrassed by what has happened under your watch as government-appointed chairman at the DHB and for the many staff who are likely too intimidated to speak.

A petition launched by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union seeking your resignation already has hundreds of signatures and this, too, is a sign the game is up. It's over, Bob, the damage has been done.

Bob, you've contributed to poor decisions stretching back decades and it's time Hamilton was rid of you.

As an interested observer, it's a case of this being strike three. Your first strike was voting to lower the drinking age while you were a Hamilton MP. How's that one been working for you, Bob?

Strike two was the Hamilton V8s. That you were still promoting the event as being good for Hamilton city as late as 2010 suggests you didn't appreciate the significant damage done to the city's reputation as the closed-door bungling behind the event later revealed.

Strike three was the appointment of a staff member you were warned about – CEO Nigel Murray, the guy who knows a buck is a buck, particularly when it's taxpayers' bucks.

Let me remind you, Bob. This is strike three. You're out.

But if there is a hero in this tale of bungling and bumbling it is Senor Doctors' Union representative Ian Powell.

In what must go down as one of the best quotes of the entire sad saga, Powell said the issues surrounding the appointment of former CEO Nigel Murray came down to due diligence.

"I would sum up Bob Simcock's due diligence as being the kind of due diligence when you're not having due diligence," Powell said.

In others words, Bob, you stuffed up. Big time.

You were warned about the issue surrounding the appointment of Murray by others and ignored them to the great cost of patients, staff and taxpayers.

That you are now angry that everything has turned to custard on your watch means you should look at yourself, Bob. It was your job to get this right.

"I'm angry that this organisation's been put in a place where it's been put in, for our staff and for our community. It has been just a whole lot of noise that [it] didn't need and [it] should never have happened," Simcock said.

ob, there is going to be a lot of butt-covering and claim and counter claim as this mess unfolds and, sadly, it will take time away from the business of helping people get medical services when (or before) they are needed.

Add in the issues surrounding the loss of accreditation to teach young doctors and associated stalled medical school proposal, the relocation to the Farmers building overspend, the virtual health app delays and now an 18-month search for a new CEO to be appointed on your watch and it's clear that a clean-out has to happen.

Critically, taxpayers should know how much Murray owes and why it took damn near three months to identify the problems. The members of the board should ensure it is made public or resign along with you.

There is no point in carrying on when you have the disgraced Nigel Murray as evidence of your sound judgment and acumen.

Bob, you have to go.

Resign.