More Hutt Valley patients were assessed by surgical specialists in the past year than ever before, according new figures released by the Ministry of Health.

More Bay of Plenty patients were assessed by surgical specialists in the past year than ever before, according new figures released by the Ministry of Health.

More Capital and Coast District Health Board patients were assessed by surgical specialists in the past year than ever before, according new figures released by the Ministry of Health.

Wellington, Oct 3 NZPA - The Ministry of Health is expected to lose nearly 400 staff positions over 2-1/2 years, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

The public health sector was still going through a process to cut administrative positions and move resources into frontline services.

Wellington, NZPA - Two families at a welfare centre in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood are battling gastroenteritis.

Hundreds of patients have added to the backlog of people waiting for images and surgery during a national radiographers' strike.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the Tairawhiti District Health Board (DHB) has posted big improvements in key services over the past year.

"Tairawhiti beat its target of 1,987 elective surgery discharges for the year actually delivering 2,010," Mr Ryall says.

More than 3,400 patients have had elective surgery from Lakes DHB in the last financial year, which has contributed to a record increase around the country.

More than 8,000 patients have had elective surgery from Bay of Plenty District Health Board in the last financial year, which has contributed to a record increase around the country.

More than 5,000 patients have had elective surgery from Hutt Valley DHB in the last financial year, which has contributed to a record increase around the country.