Private hospitals offer to cut surgical waiting lists

Private hospitals want to work collaboratively with DHBs to help them reduce surgical waiting lists, and the sector has welcomed the $126 million allocated for this in Budget 2018.

Private Surgical Hospitals Association president, Richard Whitney, said DHBs all over the country face a growing, unmet demand for elective surgery, and waiting lists and waiting times are increasing.

“It’s very pleasing to see the government fund initiatives in this Budget to address this issue.”

Mr Whitney said the private hospitals sector is keen to form strategic partnerships with DHBs to address waiting lists that can see patients waiting nearly a year for surgery.

“The private hospitals sector has significant capacity and expertise that can assist DHBs reduce waiting lists and help Kiwis get the surgical treatment they need, faster and cost-effectively.”

“The increasing challenge facing any government is funding the ever-growing needs of the health system. We are proposing a partial solution,” Mr Whitney said.