Chris Bishop

National List MP based in the Hutt Valley
20 August 2015

More surgery assessments and more operations for the Hutt

Chris Bishop, National List MP based in the Hutt Valley, has welcomed news that more people in the Hutt are getting their first surgical assessment, and faster, compared to seven years ago.

“New Zealanders are living longer lives, so access to elective surgery is more important than ever.

“In the Hutt, 10,933 patients received their First Surgical Assessment in the last financial year, compared to 9,028 in 2008/2009. That’s an increase of 21 per cent.

“In 2006 there were over 15,000 patients nationwide waiting over six months for their First Specialist Assessment. This number has reduced significantly under the National-led Government and today they are just 21.

“The increase in First Surgical Assessments is leading to an increase in more elective surgeries in the Hutt. There were 1,208 more elective surgeries in 2014/15 compared to 2007/8 – an increase of 29 per cent.

“This lift in elective surgery rates is a credit to the hard working health professionals working in the Hutt, and is great news for Hutt residents.”

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