District Health Boards across the country have been trying to keep up with their backlog following a "relentless series of external factors". Photo / NZME
District Health Boards across the country have been trying to keep up with their backlog following a "relentless series of external factors". Photo / NZME
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is looking to spend $15 million on three new operating theatres to ease strains on its surgical system.
Its theatres have been running at capacity for more than 18 months.
It comes as New Zealand's DHBs reveal they need to spend millions tomeet national targets for elective surgery and address growing waitlists.
The information was provided in recovery plans sent to the Ministry of Health last year and estimated how quickly delays for planned care, including elective procedures, could be reduced.
The Ministry released the information under the Official Information Act.
Orthopaedics had the highest number of patients waiting but dental was furthest from reaching the goal set, despite a lower number of patients.
The BOPDHB, with hospitals in Tauranga and Whakatāne, said all surgical services had been impacted by theatre, intensive care and expensive private medical care capacity.
"BOPDHB has been at capacity for theatres for more than 18 months.
"Opportunities for creating any additional in-house capacity are rapidly being explored. A feasibility study has been completed to build three additional theatres at a cost of [about] $15m."
To help clear the backlog, operating in the weekend was suggested but there was "significant resistance" from staff, the DHB report said.
There was also significant growth in demand for orthopaedic surgery in the region, reflecting unexpected demographic growth.
The cause of the backlog was described as a "relentless series of external factors".
Rotorua Hospital. Photo / NZME
Strikes through 2019 and the Whakaari White Island eruption impacted the ability to deliver elective surgeries.
"Prior to Covid-19 positive discussions were progressing regarding the opportunity to access capacity for three to five years with a private provider," the report said.
"Unfortunately, due to the impact of Covid-19, this option is no longer feasible for the private entity.
"Private providers' pricing expectations are significantly more than national pricing. Additionally private capacity is limited, as these entities also have to managed backlogged capacity."
A Grace Hospital spokeswoman said the private hospital had supported BOPDHB to address its waiting list issues when capacity allowed.
"Grace Hospital recently commissioned a seventh operating theatre in 2020 and another endoscopy room in 2021 to support the growing Tauranga population and demand.
"This additional capacity will be available for the DHB to access and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them."
The fees charged reflected the "high-quality technologies and services" provided to ensure quality outcomes for the patients, the spokeswoman said.
Lakes District Health Board had 103 patients were waiting longer than four months for treatment but it was the lowest figure since January.
Lakes DHB, which has hospitals in Rotorua and Taupō, said it had a sound relationship with Southern Cross Hospital, the only private hospital in Rotorua.
"We are in discussions around a standing agreement where volumes can be easily subcontracted dependent on industrial action and additional funding made available."
Southern Cross Healthcare chief operating officer Chris White said it always provided assistance if it was needed.
"We've been in touch with Lakes DHB to offer support, which extends to during any industrial action, and our Southern Cross hospital in Rotorua has capacity to treat some patients if requested.
"There has been a small increase in the number of DHB surgeries performed at Southern Cross Hospital Rotorua in recent years."
The Lakes DHB action plan stated an application for separate ministry funding was being made and just under $3.2m would allow it to eliminate the backlog.
"Application for separate ministry funding is being made for general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, paediatric surgery, general medicine procedures, ear nose and throat and gynaecology.
"We are also seeking funding for dental surgery which is a major equity issue with the majority of patients being treated being Māori."
Subcontracting surgery to Southern Cross was a planned action as was seeking additional general surgery sessions.
Help has been delivered or is on the way for some of the issues identified by DHBs.
Budget 2020 allocated nearly $283 million over three years to specifically help address waiting lists, and 61 capital projects have been funded, including new equipment and theatre space.
Billions more have been pledged for a wider upgrade of health facilities - Treasury has estimated about $14b will need to be invested over a decade.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) executive director Sarah Dalton. Photo / NZME
Sarah Dalton, executive director of the doctors' union, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, told the Herald the findings reflected a lack of action on long-standing problems, including staffing shortages, and the "parlous" state of hospital infrastructure.
"None of this is a quick fix. But people are paying for this with their health and wellbeing ... it is just shameful in a country like New Zealand that people might go blind for lack of timely care."
The Bay of Plenty Times has sought an update on the current waiting lists from BOPDHB and Lakes DHB.
