Plans are underway to modernise almost one-third of hospital diagnostic scanners over the next three years, with an investment of $108 million.
According to Health Minister Simeon Brown, 32 new and replacement CT, MRI, and SPECT scanners will be provided nationwide, with an additional six already funded through hospital redevelopment initiatives, totalling 38 scanners.
Out of the 38 scanners, approximately 31 are replacements, and the seven new ones will be allocated to communities in Northland, Counties Manukau, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, and Porirua.
3 of the new CT scanners will feature advanced photon-counting technology, with one installed at Kenepuru Hospital.
The funding will come from Health NZ’s depreciation budget and health capital envelope, both designated for replacing and acquiring new equipment, forming part of the agency’s baseline funding.
Brown said the programme is expected to enable an additional 32,000 CT scans and 6,800 MRI scans annually, due to a combination of increased equipment and improved technology.
“I think it’s a 5% boost in terms of the [additional] scans … as we announced in the Diagnostic Investment Programme a few weeks ago, it’s also about making sure we’re maximising what’s delivered across the public system and also outsourcing where required to get through waiting lists,” Brown said.
“The new technology provides clearer images and greater diagnostic accuracy, while modern software makes them easier to operate.”
Efforts are underway to recruit the necessary workforce to operate the machines.
“That’s all part of the plan to make sure that New Zealanders have access to timely, quality diagnostic services.”
“We’ve been left with huge challenges left behind by the previous government, with scanners which were breaking and needing replacement. We’re getting on and getting that job done because ultimately we’re focused on frontline services; they were focused on rearranging a bureaucracy.
“There were big backlogs across the health system that we have to focus on – wait lists grew dramatically under the previous government – as seen in the health data that we’ve been releasing.”