More to benefit from Waiting Times Fund

The latest round of allocations from the Government's Waiting Times Fund were announced today by Health Minister Bill English.

The 23 contracts approved in principle by Mr English today will mean a further 7,600 people on waiting lists will be offered procedures and treatments.

"A total of 239 applications worth $102,623,000 have now been contracted by the Ministry of Health. These contracts will provide an additional 65,404 treatments and assessments, which is a significant reduction to the waiting lists.

"I have been very impressed by how quickly applications have come in and been able to be approved for Waiting Times Fund money. We can now provide people with more certainty and clarity about the procedures or treatments they are waiting for," said Mr English.

A total of $130m was allocated to the Fund when it was set up on 1 July last year. A further $150m over the next three years was allocated in the Coalition Agreement.

Some of the latest applications have been approved in principle subject to final details being negotiated, in particular to ensure the procedures or treatments can be provided at a better price and delivered in a shorter timeframe. The details of the latest approvals are:

Northern RHA

up to 700 non-urgent general surgery procedures at Waitemata Health for people in the North Shore and North West Auckland
up to 529 general surgery procedures at Auckland Healthcare Ltd for people in Central Auckland
256 hip and knee joint replacement procedures at South Auckland Health for people in South and West Auckland
up to 169 cataract procedures for people of Northland
643 gynaecology procedures at Auckland Healthcare for women of Central Auckland
Midland RHA

272 gynaecology assessments at Lakeland Health for women in the Rotorua and Taupo regions
Central RHA

100 orthopaedic operations at Capital Coast Health for people in the Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti regions
six total knee replacements at Good Health Wanganui for people in Wanganui
25 hysterectomy operations at Capital Coast Health for people in Wellington
400 ophthalmology procedures at Capital Coast Health for people in the Wellington and Hutt Valley regions
500 ear, nose and throat procedures at Capital Coast Health for people in the greater Wellington region
40 tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy procedures at Good Health Wanganui for people in the Wanganui region
50 grommet procedures at Good Health Wanganui for people in the Wanganui region
up to 200 general surgery procedures at Capital Coast Health for people in the Wellington region
48 spinal surgery operations at at Capital Coast Health for people in the central region
150 vascular surgery assessments at Capital Coast Health for people in the greater Wellington region
182 dermatology outpatient procedures at Capital Coast Health for people in the Wellington region
Southern RHA

800 orthopaedic assessments at Canterbury Health for people in the Christchurch region
44 paediatric orthopaedic procedures at Southern Health for people in Southland
900 otolaryngology assessments at Canterbury Health for people in Canterbury
250 gastroenterology procedures at Canterbury Health for people in Canterbury
630 plastic surgery assessments at Canterbury Health for people in the Christchurch region
790 post-discharge follow-up services for previously approved operations at Canterbury Health for people in Canterbury
Ends