Two hundred extra MDHB patients received elective surgery in first part of 2011

27/05/2011 | Health Targets - Electives

Approximately 200 more MidCentral District Health Board patients have had their elective surgery in the first three months of 2011 than was originally planned.

As at the end of the financial year’s third quarter (January to March 2011) MidCentral DHB is ahead of the national Health Target for Elective Surgery by 193 operations. The planned target was 4,299 patients. However, MDHB exceeded that target by 4% which means 4,492 patients within our DHB region have received operations up until the end of March.

All surgical specialities, except two, are ahead of their respective target volumes with elective operations. One of those specialties not meeting their target – the gynaecology service - is expected to meet its target by the end of the financial year on 30 June 2011.

Operations Director, Hospital Services, Lyn Horgan says: “The successful recruitment of anaesthetists this year has contributed to MidCentral Health being in a position to maximise the use of the operating theatres at the hospital which has been extremely beneficial to the people of the MidCentral DHB region with an additional 193 patients receiving an operation. It is expected that this upward trend will continue in the fourth quarter under way.

“Additionally, extra funding for a further 120 procedures was allocated to the DHB recently to assist with the predicted shortfall in elective surgery procedures to be performed nationally due to the Canterbury DHB’s inability to undertake all their elective surgical work this year. These procedures are to be performed in the fourth quarter of this financial year. It was pleasing to note that MidCentral Health performed 64 of the 120 in April.”

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350 8945