Referral outcomes by DHB & specialty type 26 Jul 2016
Related articles
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Health
26 July 2016 Media
Statement
Referral outcomes by DHB & specialty type
The Minister of Health says the latest release of preliminary data from the National Patient Flow project helps to further complete the complex picture of referrals for specialist care.
“The data from National Patient Flow will help the sector better understand the outcomes of referrals to hospital specialists,” says Dr Coleman.
“A further three months of data has been released today, along with a nationwide breakdown of data by specialty type.
“This is information that has never been available before. It’s important for patients that the sector provides transparency, while DHBs and primary care will find this useful data to help them improve services.”
The latest data for First Specialist Assessments shows that between October 1 and December 31, 2015, there were 161,881 referrals for a First Specialist Assessment. 141,132 (87 per cent) of referrals were accepted, and 7,762 (five per cent) were declined as they did not meet the threshold.
12,987 (8 per cent) had their requests held or declined for other reasons. This can be so further investigations could be carried out, or because there was insufficient information from the GP, the service was no longer required or they were transferred to another DHB or another specialty.
These outcomes are similar to the first three months of preliminary data.
“DHBs are already making improvements to their referral management systems, administration processes, and communications with patients as a result of implementing the National Patient Flow project.
In 2014/15 there were 542,645 surgical and medical First Specialist Assessments carried out across the country. This is compared to 432,048 in 2008/2009. That’s an increase of 26 per cent (110,597).
DHBs adjust threshold levels for publicly funded surgery from year to year, and have always done so. DHBs determine thresholds for their communities using national clinical prioritisation tools to ensure access is fair and equitable.
The integrity of the data improves with each quarterly release. The Ministry of Health expects that the number of patients sent back to their GP for care as they did not meet the threshold, may rise to around 10 to 15 per cent.
The project is being supported by the extra $568 million being invested into the health sector this year, taking the health budget to a record $16.1 billion.
The National Patient Flow data can be found at: www.health.govt.nz
Notes to Editors
Under this Government good progress has been made in reducing waiting times. In 2011 a new measurement was introduced no patient would wait over four months for assessment or treatment.
Back in 2005 over 30,000 patients were waiting over six months for a specialist assessment or surgery. The latest data from May 2016 shows there’s around 1,000 patients waiting over four months and around 160 waiting over six months.
The number of patients receiving elective surgery has also increased. Lifting from around 118,000 in 2007/08 to 167,000 in 2014/15. That’s around 50,000 more surgeries over the last seven years - a 42 per cent increase.
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more