Good progress on health targets in Taranaki

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman

Minister of Health

24 February 2015

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest quarterly health target results show Taranaki DHB is making good overall progress.

“Taranaki DHB is continuing to improve its performance on the Government’s national health targets. These results are a credit to the health professionals in Taranaki,” says Dr Coleman.

“The latest results show Taranaki DHB has continued to deliver a high number of elective surgeries, surpassing the 100 per cent target by 16 per cent. 

“DHBs across the country are focused on reducing waiting times for elective first specialist assessments and treatment, such as hip replacements.

“Taranaki DHB increased its performance on the shorter stays in emergency departments target - up to 94 per cent.”

Results have been reported for the first time on the new faster cancer treatment health target.

“In Taranaki 75 per cent of patients with a high suspicion of cancer received their first treatment within 62 days of referral,” says Dr Coleman.

“This is comparable with other countries when they have first introduced a similar new target. I know we will continue to see steady improvement towards the target of 90 per cent by June 2017.”

The latest health target results can be found at www.health.govt.nz.

Media contact: Kirsty Taylor-Doig 021 838 372

Last updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2015