Maori more likely to die after surgery

Maori are 60 per cent more likely to die after surgery and Maori mothers twice as likely to die in childbirth than their European counterparts, according to a report on the health system.

The Health Quality and Safety Commission report, out yesterday, found our health system delivers good care and value for money.

However, there are big differences in outcomes for Maori, Pasifika and those living in the most deprived populations, it found.

Commission health quality evaluation director Richard Hamblin said the disparities still existed once factors like socioeconomic status and multiple health conditions were taken into account.

The report also found “wide and unexplained variation” in access to treatments for individual diseases across the country.

However, fewer Kiwis were dying from conditions that can be treated and premature death and disability caused by ill health is reducing.

The burden of disease from premature death and disability was similar to most other English-speaking and Western European countries, but percapita spending on health care was lower in New Zealand than in most of these countries.

There had also been sustained decreases in falls in hospital, which can lead to other problems such as blood clots or broken bones.

Improving quality of care helped Kiwis live longer, healthier lives, and saved money, the report found.

“We estimate the subset of reduced harms and potentially wasted expenditure covered in this report has led to avoided costs of $90 million, and [further] value to New Zealanders of nearly $400m.”