Dr Jonathan Coleman MP
National Party Associate Health Spokesman

6 September 2006

Fewer operations as Auckland's population grows

Despite growth in the population of greater Auckland over the past five years, there were fewer elective operations performed this year than last year, and fewer than five years ago, says National's Associate Health spokesman and MP for Northcote, Dr Jonathan Coleman.

"Despite Auckland's population increasing by 160,000 in the past five years, we're not seeing the increases in elective surgery that would be expected.

"In fact, we're seeing less surgery being done, not more."

Greater Auckland's three DHBs performed a combined total of 29,743 elective operations in the 2000/01 year. In 2004/05 they performed 28,696 operations, and this year they dropped further to 27,793.

"Aucklanders are getting less and less access to elective surgery as time goes on. The consequence is that more and more people have to live with disabling pain, decreased function and potentially life-threatening conditions.

"The reality is that the elective surgery situation is getting worse, not better," says Dr Coleman.

ENDS

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