Review of Mobile Surgical Services and related services

Summary

Since 2002, the Mobile Surgical Services bus has provided rural New Zealanders access to low risk elective surgery without having to travel to a city hospital.

The Ministry of Health commissioned the Sapere Research Group to conduct an independent review of the service. The purpose of the review was to understand the service processes, impact and outcomes, and the economic dimensions associated with delivering these services.

The review found that Mobile Surgical Services:

• can help District Health Boards to maintain patient waiting times
• improves access to health services for rural patients, especially for people with high health needs or who face barriers to accessing care.