Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
22 August 2017
Health targets improve outcomes in the West Coast
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest health target results show that West Coast 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 West Coast DHB continues to perform well, but there’s
always more to do.
“The latest health targets show that West Coast DHB surpassed the Shorter Stays in EDs Target, with 99 per cent of
patients admitted, discharged or transferred from DHB EDswithin 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. West Coast DHB achieved 104 per cent which is above the target.
“West Coast DHB also met the Better Help for Smokers to Quit Target, offering 91 per cent of their PHO enrolled smokers
to support to quit.
“The DHB improved from 17 per cent in the quarter 3 results for the Raising Healthy Kids Target to 81 per cent in
quarter 4, which is a significant increase of over 64 per cent.
“Further work is needed however, on the Faster Cancer Treatment Target and the Increased Immunisation Target for
eight-month olds.
“I’d like to acknowledge all the health professionals on the West Coast for their continued hard work to improve key
health services for New Zealanders.”
These results are supported by the $31 million funding increase West Coast DHB has received over the last nine years.
West Coast DHB received an extra $7 million in new money this year, taking the DHB’s total funding to $139 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