Health NZ's chief executive Margie Apa said while there is "significant work to do," the agency has made "pleasing progress" on shorter stays in emergency departments and for elective treatment. Photo: 123RF
Immunisation rates for toddlers continue to fall and patients are waiting longer for specialist appointments - but fewer pre-schoolers are being admitted to hospital for preventable illnesses, according to Health NZ's latest quarterly report.
It's chief executive Margie Apa said while there was "significant work to do," the agency had made "pleasing progress" on shorter stays in emergency departments and for elective treatment in the period July to September.
In fact, wait times for elective treatment was largely the same, with 62.2% of patients waiting less than the four-month target, compared with 62.1% in the same period last year.
Ambulatory sensitive hospitalisation rates for children 0-4 years reduced, meaning fewer children were admitted to hospital with preventable illnesses.
Newborn enrolment in general practice continued to increase.
Screening coverage for cervical and breast cancers improved.
Immunisation rates for children at 24 months fell.
"This is a key area of focus for Health NZ, and we are working closely with our community-based providers to make it easier for families to access vaccinations and ensure children receive their full vaccinations by 24-months-old."
Reduction in the percentage of people being seen in less than four months for a first specialist assessment compared with the same time last year.
Just over 61% of patients waited less than the four-month target for a specialist appointment, compared with over 66% in the same period last year.
"Despite this, the expected seasonal reduction in the winter months was significantly less than we saw last year, and we provided more care than ever before," Apa said.
"During the quarter, approximately 12,000 more New Zealanders attended a first specialist assessment than the same period last year."
Apa said Te Whatu Ora's financial position remained "challenging", as it worked through an organisation-wide reset.
The deficit for the quarter was $442m, which was $213m worse than budgeted - despite $40m total revenue received was $40m greater than budgeted, primarily due to higher revenue from ACC and Pharmac, and greater than expected interest income.