HFA and HealthCare Otago sign $144 m contract deal

Media release - Thursday August 5, 1999

HFA and HealthCare Otago sign $144 m contract deal

HealthCare Otago and the Health Funding Authority today finalised the contract for the 1999/2000 financial year, which is worth nearly $145 million.

The contract covers acute and elective surgery, community services, disability support services, and mental health services.

HealthCare Otago Chief Executive, Dr Bill Adam says the contract increases both the volume of services and monies available to do those volumes when compared to last year's base contract. It is an increase in $3.7 million revenue.

This year's agreement does not include funding for Balclutha, Oamaru and Dunstan hospitals, which are now independent trusts and funded separately.

HFA spokesperson Chris Crane says the successful outcome of the contract process was the product of a lot of collaborative work between the HFA and HealthCare Otago.

She says additional volume has been put into high priority services such as ENT, ophthalmology, and orthopedics.

"It has led to a much-improved method of funding, which will ultimately benefit patients wherever they live. What is also especially pleasing is the way all those involved have done their best to work to the tight time frames set for the contracting round," says Chris Crane.

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