Hutt Valley DHB | Private Bag 31907, Lower Hutt 5010 | 04 566 6999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 23 November 2016

Shorter ED waiting times at Hutt Hospital

People visiting Hutt Hospital’s emergency department (ED) are now being admitted, discharged or transferred to a ward more quickly.

The Ministry of Health’s latest health target results released this week show Hutt Valley District Health Board’s (DHB) performance against the shorter stays in emergency department target has increased by eight per cent. The DHB is only one per cent below the national target of 95 per cent and above the national average of 93 per cent.

The improved ED performance is good news for Hutt Valley DHB, says CEO Ashley Bloomfield.

Between July and September 2016, 10,514 out of a total 11,233 people (94 per cent) attending Hutt Hospital’s ED were seen within the 6 hour target. In the same period last year, the total number of people seen in ED was similar, but the hospital achieved just 86 per cent of the target.

“This is a direct result of hard work by local GP teams and staff across the hospital, together with significant improvements in the past year to the way our emergency department works.

“This target indicates how the entire Hutt Valley health system is working with many people getting the care they need faster. Our service improvements are delivering better patient experiences and we are committed to continuing this improvement.

“It is also pleasing to see our performance against the improved access to elective surgery and increased immunisation targets has improved this quarter. Hutt topped the country on the immunisation target, again a reflection of great work by a range of people and providers across the Hutt Valley.”

A copy of the latest health target results is available on the Ministry of Health website.

For more information please contact: Anna Mahoney, Communications Manager, 026 504 0899.

Hutt Valley DHB | Private Bag 31907, Lower Hutt 5010 | 04 566 6999