West Coast DHB health target update

West Coast DHB health target update

The West Coast District Health Board once again leads the country’s DHBs in the health targets for shorter stays in emergency departments, achieving 100%.

The target of 95% measures what proportion of patients are admitted, discharged or transferred from an emergency department within six hours.

The DHB’s performance against six targets is measured quarterly and the figures for Quarter 1 in the 2014/15 financial year have just been released.

All DHBs have met the 100% target for shorter waits for cancer treatment – this target ensures people are ready for radiotherapy or chemotherapy and start treatment within four weeks.

In terms of smoking cessation advice, the West Coast has got close to the 95% target for giving advice to hospitalised patients, at 93%. It has increased on the previous quarter’s target for advice to primary care patients, which now sits at 71% against the 90% target.

The DHB falls a little short of the 100% target for improved access to elective surgery over the past year – meeting 95%.

David Meates, West Coast and Canterbury DHB chief executive, says the results reflect continued efforts to provide outstanding healthcare for the people of the West Coast.

“It’s pleasing to see we’re leading the country in some areas. We still have some work to do in others.”

Immunisation numbers dropped on last quarter’s results, from vaccinating 81% of our eligible children for the Increased Immunisation Health Target, to 77% in this quarter. High opt-off and declines continue to be challenging in meeting this target.

Eligible enrolled adult West Coasters are having more heart and diabetes checks with general practice teams than the previous quarter, with 79% compared to 76.6%. The target for the DHB is 90%.

Full information on the West Coast DHB’s Health Target performance can be found here, and information on the Ministry of Health’s Health Targets site here.

Ends

© Scoop Media