Southern DHB patients getting cancer treatment faster

Media Release

24 February 2015

Southern DHB patients getting cancer treatment faster

The new faster cancer treatment health targets show that Southern patients are getting their treatment faster.

These targets came into effect on 1 October 2014 to support continued improvement in services and waiting times for people with cancer.

The target is that by July 2016, patients referred with a high suspicion of cancer need to be seen within two weeks of referral, and that 85 percent of patients should receive their first cancer treatment (or other management) within 62 days of being referred with a high suspicion of cancer. This target will increase to 90 percent by June 2017.

Southern DHBs performance is already at 75 percent against the target of 85 percent which is to be achieved by July 2016. Nationally, the performance against the target is 65.8 percent.

Achieving the 75% level against the faster cancer treatment target has been assisted by the development by Southern DHB staff of a new electronic programme which is identifying and tracking patients through what can be a complicated pathway of care. The programme has been designed to identify patient progress and to pick up any delays that may occur. In conjunction with this newly developed technology, clinicians at Southern DHB have been working to reduce unnecessary and unintended delays for patients by taking a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

“This is the first time that the faster cancer treatment health target results have been reported and we’re delighted with the results. The success is due to the hard work, commitment and collaboration of health care teams working across many areas. The results are a clear reflection of the continued efforts of our staff to provide outstanding health care of our patients,” said Southern DHB Executive Director of Patient Services, Lexie O’Shea.

ENDS

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