Roll out of extra money for elective procedures

Media Release

29 January 2007

Roll out of extra money for elective procedures

The first patients to benefit from the extra $200 million for more operations and elective procedures have had their treatments this year.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board is one of the first around the country to start using the extra money. Twenty-six out of nearly 270 people have had their treatment. Patients who have been waiting for cardiac surgery, colonoscopies and orthopaedic operations are among those being treated at a cost of $1 million.

Health Minister Pete Hodgson announced the extra money late last year and it is expected to benefit an additional 10,000 patients every year for the next four years.

"District health boards have been working hard to improve their booking systems to ensure they meet Ministry guidelines about how patients are managed while waiting for an elective service,'' said Karen Orsborn, manager elective services.

"It's important that all New Zealanders are treated fairly and honestly by the public health system. That means district health boards have had to be up front about whether a person will get treatment or see a specialist within six months. This has been a difficult process but we believe it is better to be honest so patients know where they stand and are not holding on to false hope.''

To qualify for the extra money district health boards must meet the Ministry of Health's guidelines for fair and effective booking systems.

Fifteen out of 21 boards have met the guidelines and most others are close to being compliant. The Ministry is working closely with these DHBs to ensure their patients can benefit from the extra money.

A number of proposals are at the stage of being able to start early this year. Further updates will be made shortly.

Under the Bay of Plenty District Health Board proposal some heart patients will receive their treatment through Otago District Health Board. Other treatments, such as gastroscopy are being sub-contracted to the private sector and some of these procedures will be completed in DHB facilities.

A group of pilot projects aimed at improving access to, and delivery of, elective services have also started around the country.

A total of $607,500 (GST incl) is being spent on the 15 pilot projects running across 11 district health boards. The money comes on top of the extra $200 million.

Among the pilots are a Bay of Plenty initiative which enables low risk cardiology patients to receive a "virtual" first specialist assessment rather than seeing a specialist face to face. All referrals from GPs are triaged by a hospital specialist who determines whether the patient should go through a consultation in the traditional way or if they are suited to a virtual FSA. The "virtual'' assessment might involve the specialist offering advice to a patient's GP over the phone about the patient's care plan or enabling the GP to refer the patient directly for relevant tests such as an exercise tolerance test. A satisfaction study will be completed by patients, specialists and GPs involved.

ENDS

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