Immunisation rates well covered for Canterbury

May 24 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

Immunisation rates well covered for Canterbury

Protecting our vulnerable children from diseases is high on the radar for Cantabrians, according to the latest National Health Target results.

Canterbury’s performance in quarter three of the 2015/2016 targets show rates of immunisation continue to exceed the 95 percent target of all eight-month-olds having their primary course of immunisations on time.

David Meates, Canterbury DHB chief executive, says the coverage remains impressive and reflects great efforts from primary care to ensure our vulnerable children are immunised.

“We are seeing some really great immunisation results, with excellent coverage across all ethnicities. I’m proud to say that 100 percent of Pacific Island, 97 percent of European and Asian, and 96 percent of Maori children are getting their vaccinations,” Mr Meates says.

“It highlights the excellent integration across the Canterbury Health System to ensure our newest generations have the best possible start in life.”

Meanwhile despite growing presentation numbers to Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department, Canterbury’s performance against the ED target remains positive, achieving the 95 percent target for the third quarter running.

“Attendances at Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department have grown continuously since the earthquake of February 2011.

“However, we have seen little growth among older groups thanks to strategies to care for older people in their own homes and the community being well embedded in the Health System.

“The more rapid growth remains among younger adults, including significant increases in non-enrolled younger adults, reflecting the rebuild population.”

Mr Meates says staff are increasing the focus on accurately capturing home addresses and ensuring this group are provided with appropriate information about where to seek primary care rather than defaulting to ED attendance.

Results against other key targets continue to be encouraging at both a hospital and primary care level.

Mr Meates says Canterbury DHB continues to work closely with the PHOs to actively support the delivery of the primary care health targets.

“We are getting closer each quarter after coming from a low base and work continues to improve it.

“I’m also confident our performance against the Faster Cancer Treatment target will improve over the next quarters.

Canterbury’s performance slipped to 73 percent but work is ongoing to improve the capture and quality of the Fast Cancer Treatment data, including reviewing patient pathways to improve their timeliness.

Find more information on Canterbury’s performance in the Quarter 3, Health Targets here.

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