Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of Health


17 October 2012 Media Statement
Innovative Programme Speeds Up Patient Recovery

Health Minister Tony Ryall says faster recovery for patients is just one benefit of a new programme being used by public hospitals across the country.

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme helps people recover more quickly and safely after their operation so they have fewer complications and get home to their families sooner.

“Bay of Plenty District Health Board (DHB), who recently adopted the programme, has reported significant improvements,” says Mr Ryall.

“Following major bowel surgery, patients are now able to eat and drink and are out of bed on the day of their surgery. And they start walking about the ward the following day.

“This is a great result. Prior to the ERAS programme, it would normally take patients several days before they could get out of bed after bowel surgery.

“The DHB is doing this by ensuring patients are in optimal condition for surgery. They are changing anaesthetic and surgery techniques, such as using laparoscopic surgery, avoiding the use of drains and having targeted rehabilitation after surgery. Patients feel better, quicker.

“This innovative programme which began in Counties-Manukau is now in six DHBs – Bay of Plenty, Capital & Coast, Counties-Manukau, Nelson Marlborough, Southern and Waitemata – and is being taken up by other regions.”

________________________________________

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage