Wairarapa DHB is hitting targets

ON TRACK: Wairarapa DHB is meeting targets, says the minister. PHOTO/FILE

Latest health target results show Wairarapa DHB is achieving nationwide standards, says Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Wairarapa DHB is making steady progress in the areas of Emergency Department patient turnover, access to elective surgery, and in following through with heart and diabetes checks.

"These results are a credit to the health professionals in Wairarapa DHB," Dr Coleman said.

"Some 96 per cent of emergency department patients in Wairarapa DHB were admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours.

"Nationally the shorter stays in ED target was met for the second consecutive quarter. This is a significant achievement, and it reflects the hard work by staff.

"We know that it is currently a challenging time for EDs during the busy winter months.

"All DHBs met the improved access to elective surgery target for 2014/15. Wairarapa DHB surpassed the 100 per cent target by seven per cent.

"Also in Wairarapa DHB, 90 per cent of eligible people had a heart and diabetes check. More work is needed on the better help for smokers to quit target and on immunisation coverage."

These improvements are supported by the $29 million funding increase Wairarapa DHB has received over the last seven years, said Dr Coleman.

This includes $6 million in new money for this year, taking the DHB's total funding to $135 million for 2015/2016.

Dr Coleman said the funding increase is also helped by the $400 million extra invested into health in Budget 2015.