Consultation on elective services proposal

29 November 2007

Consultation on elective services proposal for tender – submissions close 5pm Monday 3 December

Hawke’s Bay people have until 5:00pm on Monday 3 December to have their say on the possibility of Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) calling for tenders from other hospitals in the central region to provide some elective services.

HBDHB has the ability to access an additional funding to provide elective surgery and procedures. Hawkes Bay Hospital is unable to perform all of the additional surgery due to limited capacity in our facilities and limited staff resources.

Chief operating officer, Warrick Frater said “If we are to proceed with this tender to provide elective services, it would mean more people will be able to receive treatment sooner.

“Details about how care could be provided at another hospital in the central region are outlined in a consultation document. It also provides information about how the DHB could arrange and pay for transport and accommodation, as well as arrangements for support people. It also, discusses pre-surgery assessments and post-surgery care..

The central region includes Hawke’s Bay, Hutt Valley, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Wanganui and Wellington.

“If HBDHB opts for a proposal from one or more out-of-town hospitals, people will always have a choice about whether or not they travel for treatment. We realise travelling won’t suit everyone, however, for many people it would mean they could have their surgery sooner,” Mr Frater said.

The consultation document is available on Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s website www.hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz or by phoning Karalyn van Deursen (06) 873 2150

Mr Frater said HBDHB had sent letters outlining the proposal to a cross-section of people on the waiting lists. “Some patients have an extended date for submission to allow time for replies. These patients have a submission deadline of the10th December. It’s important that we hear what patients think as they are the ones who would potentially be most affected.

“Once all submissions are in, they will be analysed and a decision made on whether or not to proceed with a Request for Tender process,” Warrick Frater said.

ENDS

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