People in New Zealand have high expectations that they will have good access to health care services when they need them.
Health targets provide a clear and specific focus for action to ensure that this health care is of the highest quality and within the best possible time.
It is very encouraging to see the way clinicians around the country are working together to improve the care provided to New Zealanders in our key health target areas.
The process of changing the way we work to improve quality and efficiency, in a tight fiscal environment, challenges the ingenuity and creativity of DHB clinicians and managers.
Our focus on specific health targets is clearly paying dividends with various initiatives making a positive difference to the performance of DHBs and the services they provide.
The Ministry of Health and National Health Board will continue to work with DHBs to ensure that these targets are met and that the already high quality care provided to New Zealanders continues to be improved.
The improvements featured in this publication are part of a better integrated health care system that continues to deliver for patients.