Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has today published its Quarter 4 Report, covering performance from 1 April to 30 June 2024.

While there is still significant work to do, Health NZ has made progress towards the Government’s health targets, particularly in the areas of wait times for a first specialist assessment (FSA) and elective treatment. The results follow the release of high-level implementation plans to achieve the health targets last month.

With the release of the results closely following Mental Health Awareness Week, it is also pleasing to see improved access to specialist and primary mental health and addictions services, which is a priority for Health NZ.

In announcing the quarter four results, Chief Executive Margie Apa confirmed Health NZ’s commitment to improvements in health outcomes and services.

“I’m encouraged by the results that show improvement in clinical services aligned to the health targets. This reflects the dedication of our incredible teams across the country who are working hard to deliver timely access to quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.”

“Our determined focus on improvement, including powering up our regions with the recent appointment of four dedicated Deputy Chief Executives, will support the consistent improvement steps New Zealanders can expect to see each year.” 

Key highlights from the final quarter of 2023/24 include:     

  • The proportion of people waiting more than four months for an FSA reduced by 1.9 per cent and, for elective treatments, reduced by 3.7 per cent, compared with quarter three.      
  • The proportion of under 25-year-olds seen by specialist mental health services within three weeks of referral increased by four per cent.       
  • The proportion of eligible cancer patients who received their first treatment within 31 days of a health professional’s decision is now just 1.5 per cent below the national health target of 85 per cent.      
  • The authorised vaccinator programme to increase accessibility to childhood immunisations continued to expand; newborn enrolment rates with GPs also increased, which is a lead indicator to improving immunisations and enabling continuity of care for babies as they develop.   
  • The delivery of elective treatments increased for all ethnicities, and within all regions, between quarters three and four.   
  • In response to the Government’s New Medicine Initiative, preparations began with other health agencies for implementing investments in new cancer medicines, which will benefit about 175,000 patients in the first year beginning 1 October.     
  • Tōtara Haumaru, a new hospital building on the North Shore Hospital campus, opened with 2,000 elective surgery procedures planned to take place in its first year. This new facility allows the Northern region to better coordinate care for long-waiting patients, and releases capacity in other regional sites that can be used to provide services.