A joint MidCentral and Whanganui District Health Board gynaecological surgery initiative that offered women from MidCentral District Health Board (MDHB) district the chance to have their surgery performed earlier at Wanganui Hospital has been a very worthwhile project.

Last year the WDHB agreed to accept up to 150 women to give them the opportunity of having their surgery earlier than would have been possible otherwise.

The WDHB identified it had the capacity to provide these services in addition to those it provides for its own population.

By the end of April, 140 MDHB women had been referred to WDHB for surgery.  Of the referrals accepted by the WDHB, 74 women have either had, or been booked for, surgery up to 30 June.  A further 13 patients are waiting to be booked for clinic assessments.

A number of women referred to the WDHB have been found to not require surgery. MidCentral Health has reviewed all 268 patients on its gynaecology GP care list, and offered those women the opportunity to go to Wanganui.

MDHB said the review process has been a very worthwhile exercise. It now has a much clearer picture of the needs of the women waiting for surgery.

The MDHB’s hospital advisory committee members say providing additional procedures through the joint initiative has been extremely positive for women in the region.