West Coast DHB achieves 100% shorter stays in ED
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
23 May 2017
West Coast DHB achieves 100% shorter stays in ED
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show that West Coast DHB is performing well, particularly on the shorter stays in emergency department’s target where it achieved 100 per cent.
“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.
“West Coast DHB topped the country for shorter stays in emergency departments, surpassing the 95 per cent target and reaching 100 per cent. This shows that 100 per cent of patients were either admitted, discharged or transferred from an emergency department within six hours.
“The latest quarterly health target results for January to March 2017 show West Coast DHB continues to perform well, but there’s always more to do.
“West Coast DHB exceeded the improved access to elective surgery target of 100 per cent, reaching 105 per cent. The DHB also surpassed the 90 per cent target for better help for smokers to quit by 2 per cent.
“Results are expected to improve each quarter as referral processes are fully implemented.
“Further work is needed to achieve the increased immunisation, raising healthy kids, and the faster cancer treatment targets.
“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 the West Coast for their continued hard work to improve key health services for New Zealanders.”
These results are supported by the $25 million funding increase West Coast DHB has received over the last eight years. West Coast DHB received an extra $3 million in new money this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $132 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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