Waitemata DHB Ends The Year On A Health Targets High

27 November 2012

Waitemata DHB Ends The Year On A Health Targets High

Today the Ministry of Health releases it’s its July to September Health Targets results with Waitemata DHB announcing that it has exceeded five of the Governments six Heath Targets.

“Despite a very busy winter period which resulted in a surge of patients using our services, this is a terrific result,” said Acting CEO Rosalie Percival. “I am particularly delighted that our busy Emergency Department at North Shore Hospital has performed outstandingly well, which means that all our staff within the hospital have worked exceedingly hard to ensure patients are seen within the six-hour target.”

Like all the other DHBs, Waitemata DHB didn’t achieve the recently introduced Heart and Diabetes Checks but the trend is moving upwards and has improved since the last results were published in August.

The latest Health Targets figures also confirm that overall, Waitemata DHB has moved into the top band of best performing DHBs.

“Being among the crème de la crème of DHBs requires a concerted team effort and I’m impressed this spirit of collaboration is continuing and one that we positively encourage with our staff,”said Mrs Percival. “I expect the opening of the new $39 million Elective Surgery Centre next year on the North Shore Hospital campus will have a further positive effect on our drive to achieve the very best possible patient care and treatment.”

Waitemata DHB Health Targets at a glance:

• Shorter stays in Emergency Departments – 96% (95%)
• Improved access to elective surgery – 105%
• Shorter waits for cancer treatment – 100%
• Increased immunisation – 92% (85%)
• Better help for smokers to quit – 96% (95%)
• More heart and diabetes checks – 58% (90%)
Figures marked in brackets is the MOH Health Target.

Waitemata DHB treated 27,643 patients in its emergency departments over the busy winter period, a 5% increase compared with the previous year.

Earlier this month the DHB announced a major expansion of its mental health facilities. A $25 million 46-bed development will be located on land currently used as a carpark and is adjacent to North Shore Hospital. The new building will replace the converted 1950s’ former maternity unit building that currently houses the service.

Ranking of DHBs’ performance is part of the Ministry of Health’s quarterly health reporting process. The results are publicly available at www.health.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media