Diagnostics target exceeded as waitlists fall 21 per cent

Waitlists for scans, colonoscopies, and heart tests have fallen sharply over the past year, with Health New Zealand exceeding the Government's delivery target for additional procedures to address long wait lists, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. Last year, the Government confirmed that it would deliver an additional 75,000 procedures across radiology, colonoscopy, cardiac, and colposcopy services. The results for that period are: 89,039 additional procedures delivered across these services, more than 14,000 above target Total waitlists down 21 per cent Long waits down 43 per cent "This is what happens when we set clear targets and accountability. These results represent thousands of New Zealanders receiving the tests they need sooner than they otherwise would have," Mr Brown says. "The greatest improvement has been for those waiting longest. A year ago, tens of thousands of New Zealanders were waiting longer than they should for the tests they needed. That number has fallen by 43 per cent." Waitlist reductions for diagnostic services include: CT down 48 per cent MRI down 33 per cent Coronary angiography down 29 per cent Surveillance colonoscopy down 14 per cent Colposcopy and ech