Health Minister Simeon Brown announces progress in reducing wait times for elective procedures.
Partnering with private health providers has resulted in over 2,000 additional procedures being completed since the initiative's launch last month. More than 10,579 extra procedures are expected to be carried out by mid-year. Priority is being given to patients waiting longer than four months for treatment.
The most common procedures so far include cataract surgeries, hip replacements, ear and tonsil procedures, knee replacements, and hernia repairs. Health New Zealand's collaboration with the private sector aims to maximize available operating theatre capacity and tackle waitlists. This is in line with the Government's goal of ensuring 95 per cent of patients receive treatment within four months.
The initiative forms part of a record $30 billion annual investment in health, with Minister Brown emphasizing the focus on putting patients first. The partnership has seen good progress made towards achieving this target, with delivery ramping up to meet demand.