Bay's DHBs some of the top in the country for cancer treatment time targets

Out of all 20 DHBs investigated, only seven had a record of achieving target, six fell below and seven others didn't have those figures available. Photo / 123RF

The Bay of Plenty region's district health boards have been highlighted as two of the top across the country at meeting cancer treatment time targets.

The national target expects 90 per cent of patients with a high suspicion of cancer to receive their first bout of treatment within 62 days.

Figures released to NZME found that in January 2019, the Lakes District Health Board and the Bay of Plenty District Health Board managed to see 100 per cent of their patients in this area.

The same data set showed every month dozens of cancer sufferers around the country were waiting more than two months to start potentially life-saving treatment.

Out of all 20 DHBs investigated, only seven had a record of achieving the target, six fell below and seven others didn't have those figures available.

All patients at the Lakes DHB were seen within the targeted timeframe mainly due to low demand.

A spokeswoman from the Lakes DHB said the target was achieved by having a dedicated team co-ordinating all people referred in with a high suspicion of cancer.

She said the DHB had a cancer service improvement governance group that met monthly to monitor and continue improving the cancer pathway for patients.

"Care co-ordination and communication with people with a high suspicion of cancer and those with cancer are critical to providing quality care, ensure better outcomes for patients, and supporting people through a difficult time."

Lakes DHB had been concerned at delays in elective surgery and in outpatient clinics after recent strikes. However, everything possible was being done to rebook those patients and arrange treatment, the spokeswoman said.

Staff were working to prioritise backlogged appointments based on clinical need, she said.

The Bay of Plenty DHB was unable to comment before deadline.

Ministry of Health director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said Ministry officials were working with DHBs who were not meeting target to understand what the issues were, and what specific actions were under way to improve performance.