Media Release 29 August 2019 | Acting General Manager Women’s Health, Carmel Ellis, says CM Health has the busiest Women’s Health service in the country and has been upfront about the capacity constraints that the service has meeting the diverse and often complex needs of all women.
“Claims that CM Health is ‘busy’ over simplifies the situation,” she says.
“Our patients are at the centre of everything we do, and we will always do the best that we can for them. Due to the large number of women who require care in the Counties Manukau area, we have thresholds in place to prioritise access.
“This does not mean that gynaecological problems such as endometriosis or incontinence are not a concern for the DHB – they obviously are and we are aware how debilitating these conditions can be for sufferers. However we have to prioritise those patients with greatest need.
Ms Ellis says the major constraint the DHB is facing is access to theatre capacity.
“Each year CM Health Women’s Health carries out on average 750 acute gynaecology procedures, for example emergency operations to treat women critically ill with pelvic sepsis or treatment of potentially life threatening early pregnancy problems. Faced with this number of procedures, we have to prioritise in all areas of the service.
“Currently we have 477 women on our non-urgent elective inpatient waiting list. We have recently outsourced capacity which means these women will be seen earlier than the anticipated 8-12 month wait.
“We are also seeking funding for additional theatre capacity to be built at the Manukau Health Park (SuperClinic). This additional capacity will provide greater certainty for patients including women needing gynaecological interventions.”