SCDHB

South Canterbury DHB has placed first and 'first equal' out of 20 district health boards in two of the national health targets.

Results for July to September show that South Canterbury DHB leads the way when it comes to providing Smokefree advice to hospitalised smokers and timely radiation treatment to cancer patients.

Ninety percent of smokers in hospital were offered help to quit, and 100 percent of South Canterbury cancer patients received radiation treatment within six weeks. Most radiation treatment is provided in Christchurch.

South Canterbury DHB also placed second in the country for childhood immunisation with 93 percent of two-year-olds fully immunised, and fourth equal for shorter stays in the Emergency Department. Timaru Hospital excelled in elective performance, providing 109% of contracted discharges for the quarter. The aim is to provide 100% over the full year.

The only drop in performance was in the health target that calls for better cardiovascular and diabetes services.

Chief Executive Chris Fleming says everyone is pleased to see positive results in five of the six health targets.

"By and large we are doing very well. But I am concerned about the diabetes and cardiovascular services result. The reason for the poor result is that the number of diabetes patients recalled for their annual check declined in the winter months, possibly because general practice teams were focused on a potential second wave of influenza.  The diabetes nurse position at South Canterbury DHB was also vacant over this time so there has not been enough focus given to this area of health.

"However, the annual check situation is improving and we are currently in the process of recruiting a diabetes nurse. Every effort will be made to turn this result around," he said.

Click Here to view the full quarter one results

Click Here to view health target results from the last financial year

For more information contact:

Arlene Goss

Communications Advisor, South Canterbury District Health Board

Ph 03 687 2395