Southern DHB continues steady progress on Health Targets

Media Release

24 August 2016

Southern DHB continues steady progress towards achieving National Health Targets

Southern DHB continues to make improvements in its performance against the National Health Targets.

Southern DHB Chief Executive Carole Heatly says the latest results show the DHB is making consistent gains to achieve the Ministry of Health goals for health boards.

The latest quarter health target results for 2015/16 quarter four (April to June 2016) show the Southern DHB has held steady in three out of the six target areas, while making gains in one area.

The Southern DHB's performance against the National Health Target Improved Access to Elective Surgery was 107 percent - exceeding its full-year target by seven percent. The DHB was consistent in providing Faster Access to Cancer Treatment – and rose to fifth position nationally – helping 77 percent of patients receive their first cancer treatment within 62 days of being referred. The DHB also maintained high-standards for the More Health and Diabetes Checks,Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments and Increased Immunization national targets.

“I think the results show that we have been working steadily and consistently through the challenging winter months when there are greater demands on healthcare resources,” said Ms Heatly.

“We’re especially pleased that our patients continue to be able to access more elective surgeries, which has a positive impact on their quality of life and well-being, and that we made gains in delivering cancer treatments.

“These results are a solid foundation upon which to build and we expect to continue to make improvements in healthcare services in the coming year,” said Ms Heatly.

In Quarter 4, Southern DHB has:

• Achieved 107 percent of the year-to-date electives surgery health target

• Southern DHB improved its national ranking for faster cancer treatments, rising to fifth from eighth on the table. 77 percent of patients received their first cancer treatment (or other management)within 62 days of being. This was down slightly from 78 percent last quarter.

• Increased performance against the heart checks health target to 89 percent this quarter, up from 88 percent last quarter.

• Nearly reached better help for smokers to quit health target, with 88 percent of PHO-enrolled patients who smoke offered help to quit smoking by a health practitioner in the last 15 months.

• Nearly achieved the ED health target, with 93 percent of people admitted or discharged within six hours.

• Nearly achieved the immunisation health target, with 94 percent against a 95 percent target of children fully immunised by eight-months, which is consistent with previous quarters. The DHB was pleased to meet the 95 percent target of two years olds immunised, and to exceed the five year old 90 percent target immunised with 91 percent immunised.

ENDS

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