Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
22 August 2017
Health targets improve outcomes in Lakes DHB
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show that Lakes DHB is making good progress.
“Under this Government the six national health targets have helped to drive improvement in performance across the health
system,” says Dr Coleman.
“These publically reported targets make a real difference to the quality of care in the health system and have saved
lives.
“The latest health target results for April to June 2017 show that Lakes DHB continues to perform well, but there’s
always more to do.
“The latest health targets show that Lakes DHB is close to achieving the Shorter Stays in EDs Target, with 94 per cent
of patients admitted, discharged or transferred from Lakes DHB EDs within six hours.
“Recent New Zealand research found that this target is saving lives, with around 700 fewer deaths than predicted in 2012
if pre-target trends continue.
“Nationally the Improved Access to Elective Surgery Target of 100 per cent was again achieved, this time surpassed by
six per cent. Lakes DHB achieved 101 per cent which is above the target.
“Lakes DHB also met the Better Help for Smokers to Quit Target, offering 90 per cent of their PHO enrolled smokers to
support to quit. The DHB is close to meeting the Increased Immunisation Target for eight-month olds, reaching 92 per
cent.
“Further work is needed however on the Faster Cancer Treatment Target and the Raising Healthy Kids Target.
“I’d like to acknowledge all the health professionals at Lakes DHB for their continued hard work to improve key health
services for New Zealanders.”
These results are supported by the $86 million funding increase Lakes DHB has received over the last nine years. Lakes
DHB received an extra $19 million in new money this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $339 million for 2017/18.
Overall an extra $888 million has been invested into the health sector this year taking the health budget to a record
$16.8 billion in 2017/16.
The results for quarter 4 2016/17 can be found at:http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/health-targets
ends