Elective surgery up - BoP delivers record numbers

Elective surgery up - BoP delivers record numbers

An extra thousand people in the Bay of Plenty had their elective surgery in 2009, contributing to a nationwide record increase of 12,000.

Minister of Health Tony Ryall noted that Bay of Plenty DHB delivered 7,958 elective operations in the 2009 calendar year, up from 6,935 in 2008.

Nationally, 134,763 patients had elective surgery.

BOPDHB CEO Phil Cammish says the result reflected a productive year at both Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals, and he was delighted the region had played its part in this national success.

“This shows the value of the new hospital wing and operating theatres coming on line in Tauranga, plus additions to our surgical team. Changes in process, new technology, innovative use of all the DHBs facilities and a supreme effort by staff have all contributed to this great result,” he says.

One initiative that has helped the results is the decision to offer surgery to some Western Bay patients at Whakatane Hospital, instead of Tauranga Hospital. “A significant number of people on the Eastern boundary of Western Bay of Plenty got their elective surgery much faster, because they were able to access specialists and theatres at Whakatane Hospital whilst maintaining access for people in the Eastern Bay. It proved to be a great bonus, for the sake of an extra 15 minutes of travel .”

ENDS

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