The impact of abolishing health targets

One of the first things Labour did in achieving office was to abolish the health targets of the previous government. They have made noises about coming up with new targets, but two years in nothing to show.

As journalists request data under the OIA for the previous health targets, they are still compiled by the MOH. But they are no longer actively promoted by the Government or Ministers. So what has been the result?

• The immunisation rate for eight month olds has fallen from 92.2% in 2017 to 90.1% today.
• The percentage of cancer patients starting cancer treatment within 92 days has fallen from 93.2% in 2017 to 87.6% today
• The percentage of ED patients seen within six hours has dropped from 93.1% in 2017 to 90.0% today

So the immunisation rate is now at the lowest point since 2013 and the ED waiting times at the lowest point since 2011. This is what happens when you have a Government that doesn’t want accountability, and abolishes the targets.