Latest health target results for Taranaki

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman

Minister of Health

24 February 2016

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

“These results are a credit to the health professionals in Taranaki,” says Dr Coleman.

“The health targets are not just about numbers – they are about delivering better faster access to services. The latest update shows improvements across the country in all six areas.

“Nationally, progress towards the new faster cancer treatment target improved six per cent, up to 75 per cent - the biggest quarterly increase to date. Taranaki increased its performance by four per cent, up to 74 per cent.

“Delivering better cancer services is a top priority for the Government. We’ve made significant progress since 2008 and patients are getting better faster cancer care.

“The more heart and diabetes checks target was met nationally for the second consecutive quarter. Around 1.2 million people have had their cardiovascular disease risk assessed in the past five years. Taranaki again achieved 92 per cent.

“The elective surgery target has again been achieved with 98,870 elective surgical discharges provided for the year to date – 4,890 more than planned. Taranaki surpassed the 100 per cent target by 13 per cent.  

“The Government is committed to delivering year-on-year increases in elective surgery. We have delivered around 50,000 more surgeries over the last seven years - a 42 per cent increase.”

Taranaki DHB also met the shorter stays in ED target. Further work is need on immunisation coverage for eight month olds.

These results are supported by the $65 million funding increase Taranaki DHB has received over the last seven years. This includes $14 million in new money for this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $338 million for 2015/2016.

This funding increase is assisted by the $400 million extra invested into health in Budget 2015.

The new childhood obesity health target will replace the more heart and diabetes checks target from 1 July 2016. Heart and diabetes checks will remain an accountability measure for DHBs to ensure the gains made are not lost.

The quarter two results can be found at www.health.govt.nz.

Media contact: Kirsty Taylor-Doig 021 838 372

 

Last updated: Friday, March 4, 2016