39519 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 16 Jul 2024

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	39519 (2024)
Question asked:	02 Jul 2024
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Dr Shane Reti
Answer received:	10 Jul 2024
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_39519_2024
Document guid:	29219d6c-4d86-4a1d-a0c5-c1b398c3ac69

39519 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Further to WPQ 37581(2024), why did it take one quarter for Hospital and Specialist Services to decide that 'inpatient length of stay >7 days as one of the contributors to reduced hospital flow'?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that it was decided in the January to March 2024 quarter that inpatients with a length of stay >7 days were to be a priority focus to reduce occupied bed days. A programme of work was developed to address this cohort of patients, starting with a focus on complex discharges. I am further advised that Health New Zealand routinely monitors and reports inpatient length of stay >7 days as it is a known contributor to poor hospital flow.