An extra 180 operations are being conducted in Timaru compared with five years ago.

In the past financial year South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB) conducted 4738 operations, 185 more than in the 2007/2008 financial year.

As a result, the SCDHB was 3.6 per cent ahead of its target for the 2011/2012.

Chief executive Chris Fleming said overall discharges increased by 5.2 per cent over the past five years, with 96 patients ahead of target in the 2011/2012 year.

"Our targets, for which we exceeded, are set at a level which means South Cantabrians enjoy amongst the highest level of access to elective surgery in the country, something which we endeavour to maintain."

There have been 542 orthopaedic operations, 362 for ear, nose and throat, 807 general surgeries, 297 for ophthalmology and 2730 for all other specialties, excluding dental and cardiology, conducted by the SCDHB in the past year.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said it is the fourth year of record increases for various DHBs.

"If we look back to the 2007/2008 financial year, 118,000 surgeries were performed [nationwide] - this financial year 153,000 elective surgeries were performed."

He said $68 million would be invested in the health system over the next four years to maintain record levels of elective surgery and to further reduce waiting times for patients.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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