21 May 2004

DHBs financial performance better than forecast

District Health Boards are performing better than their financial forecasts for the nine months to the end of March.

For the first three quarters of the 2003/04 year DHBs collectively had an operational deficit of $58 million compared with a budgeted deficit of $71 million.

The Ministry of Health's Group Manager Funding, Anthony Hill says "This result is nearly 20 percent better than what the DHBs had forecast which is a pleasing performance for the year to date."

"While there is some variability between individual DHBs, this shows that the Boards generally have the ability to manage within the resources given to them."

New Zealand is spending more on health services and facility upgrades than ever before.

Mr Hill says "The last three months of the financial year will still provide challenges for the DHBs, but the results so far look promising for a good annual result."

ENDS

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