Government Surpasses Elective Surgery Targets, Health Minister Reports

The Government of New Zealand has exceeded its half-year target for elective surgeries, performing over 16,000 additional operations by the end of June 2023. This accomplishment is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing wait times for patients, with a goal of ensuring that 95 percent of patients wait less than four months for surgeries by 2030.

In an interview with radio host Ryan Bridge, Health Minister Simeon Brown expressed optimism about the progress made in addressing surgery backlogs. He noted that the percentage of patients waiting for surgery has improved significantly this year, with projections indicating that 63 percent of patients will be serviced within the target timeframe.

The waiting list for elective surgeries had been steadily increasing until early this year, when it peaked at 58 percent. Since then, the Government has implemented measures to catch up and improve service delivery, leading to the recent surge in operations.

Brown emphasized that the Government’s continued focus on healthcare is critical to achieving its long-term objectives. The increase in elective surgeries is seen as a positive step towards reducing pressure on the healthcare system and ensuring timely access to essential medical services for all New Zealanders.

As the Government continues to prioritize healthcare improvements, the focus will remain on meeting the ambitious target of 95 percent of patients receiving timely surgeries by the end of the decade.