Health Targets 2010-2011, Quarter 1

26 November 2010

The first quarter health targets of 2010-2011 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.

“Whilst we are delighted that we have improved or remained static in all of the targets. We are committed to working towards achieving all of 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 six 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 107%
Taranaki residents received higher than planned levels of elective surgery – 107% for the year – with 1181 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 90%, Achieved 89%
Increasing immunisation rates are a priority in order to reduce the incidence of preventable disease in our community. Taranaki has exceeded the target for this quarter.  The DHB is working closely with the PHOs in Taranaki to educate and inform the community on the benefits and importance of immunisation.

5) Better Help for Smokers to Quit: Target 90%, Achieved 66%
There was a significant improvement from the last quarter which was 40% and the improvement 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 87%
Taranaki DHB tops the country in this target and the DHB continues to support the PHOs in ensuring there are services in place to meet this target. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease continue to contribute to ill health in the Taranaki population.

Last updated: Monday, November 29, 2010