Health Services We Fund

Overview of how the Elective system works

1. Your GP (or primary care provider) will advise whether to refer you to a District Health Board hospital to be assessed by a specialist. This is known as your First Specialist Assessment (or FSA). If your referral is accepted, DHBs should provide your FSA within six months.
    
2. The specialist will recommend what treatment you need, and whether this should be provided by your DHB, or by your GP (or primary care provider), perhaps with support from a specialist.
    
3. If you require treatment by your DHB, the specialist will determine a priority score for you, depending on your need and how much you will benefit from treatment compared to other people. Your DHB should make treatment available in priority order, given available resources.
    
4. If it is decided you meet the priority required for treatment, you should receive it within six months.