20,000 patients in NZ overdue

It had previously been reported that 4,600 Southern District Health Board patients had been denied timely treatment due to excessive delays; however, the latest revelation has seen that figure balloon to more than 20,000 nationwide. The concerning statistic, released to the NZ Labour Party via the Official Information Act, also showed that between 2014 and the end of 2016, 67 people’s eyesight had deteriorated as a result of the delays.One report anating out of Waikato indicated the eyesight of a patient with neovascular glaucoma had been compromised to the extent that they could now only see movent, despite being able to see a few metres just months earlier. The deterioration was a result of having to wait six months – twice as long as recommended – between appointments.{{quote-A:R-W:470-I:2-Q: New Zealand is a first world country and people have a reasonable expectation they won’t go blind waiting for services, -WHO:Mr David Clark, NZ Labour Health Spokesperson}}The main reasons cited for the probl included an insufficient amount of ophthalmologists to address the growing number of eye probls, the increasing dand for regular treatment and therapy for diabetics, an ageing population, and treatment innovations that require ongoing follow-up.A RANZCO spokesperson told The New Zealand Herald there was concern about any patient having to wait too long for eyecare appointments.“New Zealand hospitals see a huge number of ophthalmic patients each year and it is important that there is adequate supply to meet this dand, particularly as missed appointments can result in adverse outcomes,” the spokesperson said, adding that health boards are already working to refine existing processes to address the backlog.Meanwhile, NZ Labour health spokesperson Mr David Clark said the number of overdue appointments was unacceptable.“The scale of the probl is horrific. New Zealand is a first world country and people have a reasonable expectation they won’t go blind waiting for services,” he said. Clark also pointed out that more funding is needed to ensure New Zealanders are provided access to quality, yet affordable healthcare.The Ministry of Health has made available NZ$2 million (AU$1.8 m) nationally to assist the DHBs’ implentation and improvent of care models.A National Ophthalmology Expert Advisory Group has also been established by the Ministry to monitor and supervise actions taken to address the probl.The Ministry aims to clear the backlog of overdue patients by the end of June next year.