Auckland health board hits all its health targets

The Auckland District Health Board has hit all of its targets for the first time since the system was put in place by the Government in 2009.

The national performance measures reflect public and government priorities for New Zealand healthcare.

The 2012-2013 year results were published by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

Results show the board is now processing 95 per cent of emergency department patients within six hours.

It discharged more than 4000 elective surgery patients in the last year and every cancer patient who was ready for treatment started receiving it in less than four weeks.

It also met its target of increased immunisation by providing the primary course of immunisation for more than 85 per cent of 8-month-old children on time.

Auckland topped the country in heart and diabetes checks with 81 per cent of the board’s eligible population having a risk assessment.

The heart check target is at 75 per cent of the population, increasing to 90 per cent by July 2014.

The health board also helped 95 per cent of hospitalised smokers towards quitting but fell short on the primary care component. Only the Wairarapa District Health Board met this.

Auckland is one of only three boards to achieve all six targets. There are 20 district health boards in New Zealand.