HBDHB breaks-even in 2004/2005 financial year

13 July 2005

HBDHB breaks-even in 2004/2005 financial year

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board chair, Kevin Atkinson, announced today that the DHB would be in a break-even position at the end of the 2004/2005 financial year. (DHB’s financial years run from 1 July – 30 June)

“I am absolutely delighted, and while the final figures won’t be known for a month or so, we will have a surplus, which is a great achievement for the organisation.

Kevin Atkinson said the result was particularly pleasing as the DHB had made some significant investments and achievements during the year.

“In some areas such as elective services, we delivered more services than we were funded to provide. This is an excellent result and a superb effort from all involved. HBDHB was funded to provide 4527 patients elective procedures and provided patients with 4666 elective procedures.

“Orthopaedics performed outstandingly, and electively operated on 223 more patients than originally planned. Also outstanding for orthopaedics was the completion of 55 additional joint operations this year, due to increased funding. A whole team of dedicated staff have contributed to this result - from the surgical booking clerk, administration staff, theatre and nursing staff, as well as the medical and management teams.

Elective services includes surgical operations and procedures, and outpatient services. Outpatient services provided 11,222 patients with a specialist appointment and saw 28,319 patients for follow-ups.

““We have made significant progress in improving services for Hawke’s Bay people experiencing a mental illness; and for the first time in many years, we will have a full complement of psychiatrists. Two new psychiatrists joined in early July with another expected to join by the end of July. Three other psychiatrists have accepted the offer of employment to work at Hawke's Bay and will all join by November 2005.

“The DHB has lead the way with an award-winning radiology information and picture archiving system, which has had a huge impact on improving the way we work and speeding up diagnosis for patients.

Kevin Atkinson said this result was fantastic news for Hawke’s Bay people, as any surplus is available to be reinvested in health services.

“There are a number of initiatives on the drawing board that surplus funds could be invested in,” he said. “We have very clear priorities set out in our Draft District Annual Plan, and once we know the size of the surplus, the Board and management team will be discussing the various options.

Kevin Atkinson said it was a significant achievement, and he credited staff employed by the Board as key to minimising costs and keeping a tight reign on the purse-strings, without impacting on services.

ENDS

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