The Health Minister says industrial action's played a part in District Health Board's deficit increase

Recent financial results show total DHB deficit has jumped 40-million dollars in the last month.

The 20 DHBs have a total deficit of 264-million dollars - with only South Canterbury in the black.

Nurses, doctors and hospital staff are among those who've taken industrial action.

David Clark says some of the costs relate to outsourcing in response to the interruptions.

He says the majority of the disputes have now been settled which makes things a little more straight forward.