Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health

24 November 2015

Latest health target results for Whanganui

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show Whanganui DHB is making steady progress.

“These results are a credit to the health professionals in Whanganui DHB,” says Dr Coleman.

Nationally, the more heart and diabetes checks target was met for the first time. Whanganui DHB achieved 92 per cent. The DHB also met the ED target and the elective surgery target.

“Around 1.2 million people have had their cardiovascular disease risk assessed in the past five years,” says Dr Coleman.

“This target has been in place for three years, during that time results have nearly doubled from 46 per cent in 2011/12 to currently 90 per cent.

“Health services are assessing patients’ heart risk in a timely way, and working with them to best manage those risks. The target also contributes to early identification and improved awareness of diabetes.”

The new childhood obesity health target will replace the heart and diabetes checks target from 1 July 2016. Heart and diabetes checks will remain an accountability measure for DHBs to ensure the gains made are not lost.

The elective surgery target has again been achieved nationally with 49,730 elective surgical discharges provided – 1,852 more than planned.

“The Government is committed to delivering year-on-year increases in elective surgery. We have delivered around 50,000 more surgeries over the last seven years - a 42 per cent increase,” says Dr Coleman.

These improvements are supported by the $36 million funding increase Whanganui DHB has received over the last seven years. This includes $5 million in new money for this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $215 million for 2015/2016.

This funding increase is assisted by the $400 million extra invested into health in Budget 2015.

The quarter one results can be found at www.health.govt.nz.

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