Health Targets, Quarter 4

30 August 2010

The fourth quarter health targets have been released by the Ministry of Health. 

The Taranaki health sector continues working towards the targets, which are indicative of a wider range of services and efforts in priority areas.

“We are committed to working towards achieving the targets, while still recognising there are areas for improvement,” Planning and Funding, and Population Health General Manger Sandra Boardman says.

She says a focus on the six key areas is important to continue to improve health, reduce inequalities and improve the quality of health services for local people. “The targets provide a useful indication of how we are doing.”

The health targets are:

1) Shorter Stays in ED. Target 95%, Achieved 93%
An acute pathway project is underway that identifies and reduces the barriers  to achieve shorter stays in the ED. We aim to have of 95% of all patients seen and discharged within 6 hours.  The Ministry have endorsed our approach however achieving the last few percent to reach the 95% target will be difficult and will require a concentrated and focused effort. This challenge is accepted by our team as we focus on the ongoing work to improve the flow of patients in our acute pathway work. 

2) Improved Access to Elective Surgery: Target 100%, Achieved 104%
Taranaki residents received higher than planned levels of elective surgery – 104% for the year – with 4,238 people receiving elective surgery across all providers.  This is a very pleasing result but we will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to maintain our target.

3) Shorter Waits for Cancer Treatment: Target 100%, Achieved 100%
We plan to maintain our collaborative relationship with MidCentral DHB to maintain the 100% cancer waiting time target.

4) Increased Immunisation: Target 85%, Achieved 85%
Increasing immunisation rates are a priority in order to reduce the incidence of preventable disease in our community. Taranaki continued to meet it’s target  in this area and is well set up for achievement of the 2010-11 target. The DHB is working closely with the three PHOs in Taranaki to educate and inform the community on the benefits and importance of immunisation.

5) Better Help for Smokers to Quit: Target 80%, Achieved 40%
Whilst the overall result for Quarter 4 was disappointing, there was a significant improvement in the last month of the Quarter (73% July 2010) which is expected to continue in 2010-11.  A training package has now been offered to all nursing staff in inpatient areas of the hospital and a training plan has been developed and is currently being implemented within the primary care general practice.

6) Better Diabetes and Cardiovascular: Achieved 74%
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are among the main causes of ill health in Taranaki. The DHB continues to support the PHOs in ensuring there are services in place to meet this target.

Last updated: Monday, August 30, 2010