Ashley Bloomfield's being sent to Christchurch - to help deal with the Canterbury DHB crisis

The Government's asked the board to reduce its 180-million dollar deficit - the largest in the country - by almost 57-million this year.

It's seen seven senior executives resign and hundreds of hospital staff protest in the streets - fearing jobs will be lost and patient services will be slashed.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins maintains DHBs need to be financially responsible - and says when one runs a deficit to offer more services - others miss out.

But he says it's clear there are some serious issues that need resolving at Canterbury DHB.

Hipkins says he's asked the Director-General of Health to meet with staff and board members today - and report back to him.