The latest reports confirm that the Southern District Health Board's Otago-based service has stood tall and has made consistent gains in the health care delivery. As per the end of year results, the healthy performance is a part of the Government's key priority health target areas in 2009-10.

Delighted with the results that were announce yesterday, Otago Chief Operating Officer, Vivian Blake said, "Everyone has worked extremely hard and it is reflected in these great results. While we still face many challenges, I am confident that with the team we have here at Otago we will continue to improve".

She added that she was very proud of the team and it was only the efforts of the team that made the improvements in the priority areas possible.

As per the 2009/10 health targets, each target for the Government is a sign of priority health area. The primary motive of the targets is to lay emphasis on improving the health sector's performance and also to guarantee that the health and disability system contributes to the health outcomes, which are integral areas in the same.

The results of the fourth quarter reveal that DHB in the area of increased immunization rates for two year olds has been ranked third in the country. Further, the team has surpassed the target by 8%.

Also, an improvement has been witnessed in two preventative measures focused targets, i. e. improved services for diabetes and cardiovascular and more help for smokers to quit.