Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
22 August 2017

Health targets improve outcomes in Hawke’s Bay

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show that Hawke’s Bay DHB is making good progress.

“Under this Government the six national health targets have helped to drive improvement in performance across the health system,” says Dr Coleman.

“These publically reported targets make a real difference to the quality of care in the health system and have saved lives.

“The latest health target results for April to June 2017 show that Hawke’s Bay DHB continues to perform well, but there’s always more to do.

“The latest health targets show that Hawke’s Bay DHB achieved the Shorter Stays in EDs Target with 95 per cent of patients admitted, discharged or transferred from EDs within six hours.

“Recent New Zealand research found that this target is saving lives, with around 700 fewer deaths than predicted in 2012 if pre-target trends continue.

“Nationally the Improved Access to Elective Surgery Target of 100 per cent was again achieved, this time surpassed by six per cent. Hawke’s Bay DHB achieved 101 per cent which is above the target.

“Hawke’s Bay DHB also met the Increased Immunisation Target for eight-month olds. The DHB surpassed the better help for smokers to quit target, achieving 91 per cent and also achieved the Raising Healthy Kids Target, reaching 95 per cent.

“Further work is needed however on the Faster Cancer Treatment Target which sets a goal of 85 per cent of patientsreceiving their first treatment within 62 days of a high suspicion of cancer.

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

These results are supported by the $139 million funding increase Hawke’s Bay DHB has received over the last nine years. Hawke’s Bay DHB received an extra $25 million in new money this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $527 million for 2017/18.

Overall an extra $888 million has been invested into the health sector this year taking the health budget to a record $16.8 billion in 2017/16.

The results for quarter 4 2016/17 can be found at:http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/health-targets

ENDS

© Scoop Media