A $3million contract over three years between Wakefield Health’s Royston Hospital and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board expects to see at least 200 more patients have their elective surgery each year.

Chief executive of Wakefield Health Andrew Blair said the contract signalled strong ties in the Hawke’s Bay health sector with organisations from the private and public sector working together to achieve the best outcomes for patients.

“This is regional collaboration working at its best so patients don’t have to travel out of the region or wait unnecessarily long for surgery,” Mr Blair said.

Chief executive of Hawke’s Bay DHB Kevin Snee said the contract was designed to meet patient demand and reduce times waiting for elective surgery – “this is a win-win for the DHB and Royston Hospital but more importantly for patients”.

“To achieve better patient outcomes and improve productivity the health sector needs to work together and this is an example of a contract providing more timely care for patients on elective surgery waiting lists,” Dr Snee said.

Chief operating officer Warrick Frater said the deal between the two organisations was a good deal and closely aligned with set national pricing.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board performed 5187 elective surgeries at Hawke’s Bay Hospital last year - the expected 200 surgeries from the Royston contract will mean at least 5,400 people in Hawke’s Bay will be treated on an elective surgery list each year.

The contract has already begun.

ENDS

For further information please contact

Anna Kirk

or

Andrew Blair
Chief Executive