Taranaki DHB recognised for oustanding performance

24 August 2012

Local Taranaki MP Jonathan Young has congratulated Taranaki District Health Board staff for their excellent achievement in elective surgery.

On behalf of Health Minister Tony Ryall, Mr Young today presented staff at the DHB with a certificate recognising ‘outstanding performance’.

“This is a remarkable achievement. Huge credit is due to DHB staff for their strong focus on improving frontline patients for patients,” he said.
 
Last year Taranaki had 336 patients waiting longer than six months for either a specialist’s appointment to assess whether or not they needed treatment, or for the operation itself.

This year they had no-one waiting longer than six months.

“These improvements are very good for patients. Prompter treatment improves recovery and gets patients back to normal life sooner.”

Mr Young met with Taranaki DHB Chief Executive Tony Foulkes, ACC/Elective Manager Jenette Hucker, Surgical Services Manger Lee McManus, Hospital & Specialist Services General Manager Rosemary Clements, Theatre Manager Judyth Marsh, and Chief Medical Adviser Dr Greg Simmons.

Mr Young said: “I’d like to personally thank our theatre teams and staff for their hard work and dedication in improving health services for the people of Taranaki.

“Nationally, 17 out of 20 DHBs have reduced their waiting times to zero patients waiting over six months for surgical appointments.

Over ten years ago there were around 45,000 people waiting over six months for a surgical appointment. Now, excluding Canterbury, there are just 150.

This is also the fourth year of record increases in the number of elective operations under National. An extra 7,500 patients across the country received elective surgery in the last 12 months, meaning 153,000 people got the operations they need.”

Taranaki DHB also continues to exceed its elective surgery targets.  The number of Taranaki people waiting for surgery was reduced by 839 in 2011/12 with the provision of additional surgery during this period.

For more information please call
Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
Ph 021 367 789

Last updated: Wednesday, August 29, 2012