Health Minister Simeon Brown is touting the success of the Elective Boost programme. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The government says surgery waiting times will be cut as it funds 21,000 more elective procedures over the next year.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the Elective Boost programme will cover operations such as hip and knee replacements and cataract surgeries.
He said some will be delivered through the public health system and some in the private sector.
Many of the procedures will take place in dedicated elective facilities, including Manukau Health Park, Tōtara Haumaru on the North Shore, and Burwood Hospital in Christchurch.
Brown said the additional money would go towards reaching and exceeding the government's target of 67 percent of patients being treated within four months.
"We're making the health system work smarter, using both public hospitals and private providers in a coordinated national effort. New Zealanders don't care who does the operation - they just want it done and done quickly," the Minister said in a media release.
There had been strong early results, he said, citing these achievements:
- More than 12,764 procedures delivered to 1 June, outpacing the 10,579 target set for 30 June.
- The majority of procedures delivered have been for people waiting longer than four months for treatment.
- Statements of work issued to 60 private providers to deliver surgery at consistent national rates.
As part of "a joined-up approach", hold-ups would be removed providing some certainty for patients and "unlocking capacity" in the health system.
The long-term goal was to treat 95 percent of patients within four months by 2030, he said.
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