Better, sooner, more convenient health care in Midlands

7 Delivering on health targetsSmoking and LifestyleHealth targetThere are currently no health targets that all DHBs collectively work towards.Current performanceSome practices offer the patient lifestyle advice as part of a usual consultation. Consultation isfocussed around a sick patient rather than a well patient model. The unintended consequence of thisapproach is a highly reactive model where patients seek answers around wellness and screening viagoogle and social networks; and interactions between patient and General Practitioner are basedaround moments when the patient does not feel well. Instructions are harder to hear and understandand plans around being well fall to the background while the immediate treatment of the reason forthe appointment comes to the fore.Patients receive recall letters that are sent with the best of intentions to the last known address of thepatient. Details are only updated when the patient presents at the medical centre. Recall letters arenot collated or aggregated in any way at all. A patient may receive three letters, in one day, for threedifferent reasons.Patient email addresses are very rarely, if ever, collected with the intention of using them to establishcommunication with the patient. The effect on the professional image of the General Practice isseverely tarnished by these elements of patient service.Needs projectionsTotal WDHB TDHB TDH LDHBCurrentPopulation274 534 180 153 54 688 322345 17348EstimatedOlder PeoplePopulation in 20years time428 863 280 591 84 724 37 021 26527Regional PromisesTo the Midlands populationPromise 3:If you are enrolled with a Midlands GP then you will be invited to complete ahealth screen once a year. Any issues flagged from that screen will be followedup with you (includes the option to decline the screen).83