Hawke’s Bay Hospital department wait lists drop by as much as 74%

Hawke's Bay Hospital radiology staff alongside the new CT scanner. Photo / Apex

Wait lists have been slashed at Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s radiology department by as much as 74%.

A new CT scanner and MRI machine were opened at the hospital in November as part of a $35.8 million radiology upgrade.

The hospital now has two of each machine.

Health NZ executive regional director Central, Chris Lowry, said there had been a drop in wait lists for scans following the upgrades.

More staff, roster changes, and longer operating hours – which have coincided with the upgrades – have also helped.

“Since adding the extra CT and MRI scanners, the CT waiting list in Hawke’s Bay has dropped 74%, from more than 1000 patients to fewer than 275,” he said.

“Thanks to increased capacity, extended service hours and more staff, the MRI waiting list has fallen 50%, from more than 700 to fewer than 300.”

He said outsourcing scans to private providers had dropped off.

“Most of Hawke’s Bay imaging is now delivered within the public system, helping create a more sustainable service.

“The programme is on track to save around $7 million each year due to reduced outsourcing.”

There are about 100 staff in the hospital's radiology department. Photo / Warren Buckland

A union, Apex, which represents staff in the radiology department, has welcomed the upgrades and improved staffing.

Apex national secretary Dr Deborah Powell said that previously, staff were only on-call during weekends at Hawke’s Bay Hospital for CT and MRI scans.

Now, she said there were staff on-duty over the weekend, and for longer periods on weekdays during the evening.

She said there were still vacancies in the department which, if filled, would allow the machines to be operated more often.

However, she said the improvements were very pleasing.

“What Hawke’s Bay has proven is that sustainable investment and good collaboration between unions and the health service delivers results which are nothing short of miraculous,” Dr Powell said.

“Patients are getting their diagnosis earlier and their acute hospital presentation is more efficient.

“Our union first started engaging with Hawke’s Bay in mid-2023 when staff were burning out and waiting lists were spiralling out of control.

“Through appropriate investment, rostering and joint problem-solving, we have been able to get waiting lists [significantly down].”

She said she would love to see the same investment and changes rolled out in other regional hospitals “to replicate these results”.

Health NZ employs about 100 staff at Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s radiology department, from medical imaging technologists to radiologists to nurses and support staff.

The Government’s $35.8m upgrade of the department is being done in five stages.

Stage one, which was completed in November, included the two new machines and an additional 808sq m of floor space.

The remaining stages, to be completed by 2027, include the likes of new staff areas and new medical rooms.

The radiology department made headlines in 2023 when a damning report revealed the IT system was failing so often it was causing patient harm and making staff “exhausted”.