Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health

23 May 2017

Tairawhiti DHB improves on healthy kids target

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show increased performance at Tairawhiti DHB, particularly on the raising healthy kids target.

“The six national health targets help to drive improvement in performance across the health system,” says Dr Coleman.

“This was reinforced by recent New Zealand research that found that the ED target is having a significant impact, with around 700 fewer deaths than predicted in 2012 if pre-target trends continue.

“The latest quarterly health target results for January to March 2017 show that Tairawhiti DHB continues to perform well, but there’s always more to do.

“The raising healthy kids target identifies obese children, ensuring that they are offered a referral to a professional for clinical assessment and family based nutrition. Tairawhiti DHB has improved on this target, achieving 70 per cent which is an increase of over 4 per cent on the last quarter.

“The target is a key part of the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan. We want to ensure that through the B4 School Check, kids and their families are put in touch with primary healthcare professionals who can check for any clinical risk associated with obesity, and encourage families to take action.

“Results are expected to improve each quarter as referral processes are fully implemented.

“Tairawhiti DHB exceeded the better help for smokers to quit target of 90 percent achieving 92 per cent. The DHB also exceeded the improved access to elective surgery target of 100 per cent, achieving 106 per cent. The shorter stays in emergency department’s target of 95 per cent was also achieved.

“Further work is needed to reach the faster cancer treatment target and the increased immunisation target.

“The six national targets provide a focus for action and are reviewed annually to ensure they align with health priorities. Three of the health targets focus on patient access, and three focus on prevention.

“I’d like to acknowledge all the health professionals in Tairawhiti DHB for their continued hard work to improve key health services for New Zealanders.”

These results are supported by the $40 million funding increase Tairawhiti DHB has received over the last eight years. Tairawhiti DHB received an extra $8 million in new money this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $167 million for 2016/17.

Overall an extra $568 million has been invested into the health sector this year taking the health budget to a record $16.1 billion in 2016/17.

The results for Quarter Three 2016/17 can be found at: www.health.govt.nz/healthtargets

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