Dr Jonathan Coleman National Party Associate Health Spokesman

9 May 2006

Elective surgery rates for basic procedures decline in Auckland

Rates for basic elective surgical procedures have declined substantially across the greater Auckland region in the past five years, says National Party Associate Health spokesman Dr Jonathan Coleman.

"Rates for certain surgical procedures cumulatively across the Waitemata, Auckland and Counties-Manukau DHBs present a worrying picture of what is happening in elective surgery in Auckland."

Figures obtained by Dr Coleman reveal that between 2001 and 2005, across the three DHBs, the number of elective hernia operations fell by 23%, elective tonsillectomies fell by 24%, and elective varicose vein operations fell by 45%.*

"This shows the true picture of what is happening in elective surgery in our public hospitals," says Dr Coleman.

"As each year goes by, less basic elective surgery is being done, and it's the public who are suffering.

"It is not that the incidence of these conditions is dropping, and they certainly don't get better by doing nothing."

ENDS

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