Ministry spends $45,000 publishing DHB scores

The Ministry of Health spent $45,747 publishing health scorecards comparing the performance of the 21 district health boards.

Health Minister Tony Ryall, responding to a Westport News Official Information Act request, said the cost of publishing the scorecards in the four major metropolitan papers on November 23 was $28,952.

The ministry also reimbursed 13 DHBs not covered by the four main papers a total of $16,795 to publish a table in a local community newspaper.

Asked why the ministry paid to publish, rather than releasing information to the media, Mr Ryall said the ministry wanted to be sure the information was presented clearly and accurately for readers to see at a glance how their DHB had performed.

"Public funding of health is significant. It is important the public are aware of some of the results of that investment."

The league tables measured DHBs' performance in six areas: emergency department waiting times, improving access to elective surgery, wait times for cancer treatment, immunisation targets, helping inpatients quit smoking, and screening for heart disease and diabetes.

The advertising was paid for using the ministry's publications and media budget, Mr Ryall said.

The ministry had saved money last year by publishing more documents online instead of hard copies.

- NZPA