Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of Health

3 November 2011 Media statement

Record electives from more efficient Wgtn DHBs

During the past three years, over 6,000 extra patients from the greater Wellington region have received elective surgery.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "Under this government, 3,800 more patients in Capital and Coast DHB have had elective discharges, and 2,200 extra Hutt Valley DHB patients.

"With a strong focus on efficiency in Health, we can deliver even more operations for patients who need them.

"When we took office, there were around 118,000 elective procedures a year throughout New Zealand, and the number of operations was not keeping up with population growth and ageing. Labour managed the waiting lists by culling thousands and thousands of people who had been promised surgery.

"A more efficient health service is now delivering for 145,000 elective patients a year. That's 27,000 extra patients a year, or 500 more patients every week getting elective surgery across the country.

"There are many measures showing improved public health services over the past three years including more specialist appointments, shorter waiting times for cancer radiation treatment, a 25% increase in publicly funded chemotherapy clinics, shorter waiting times in emergency departments, record levels of immunisation, better help for smokers to quit and better diabetes and cardiovascular services.

"The improved efficiency has come at the same time the National government has invested $1.5 billion in new money into health over three years, including more than $129 million into the Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs.

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