A report from April (finally released to RNZ this week showed patients have been harmed as a result of unsafe and inefficient radiology services at Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital. Photo: Gorodenkoff Productions OU / 123RF
Radiologists warn ageing medical imaging systems - which hit the headlines in Hawke's Bay this week - are putting patients at risk of misdiagnosis and treatment delays at other hospitals nationwide.
A report from April - finally released to RNZ this week after being initially refused under the Official Information Act - showed patients have been harmed as a result of unsafe and inefficient radiology services at Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists said these problems were "not unique to Hawke's Bay", and even before the recent revelations it had been raising concerns about the nationwide workforce shortage and inefficient IT systems.
"The college has been asking the government for investment in a high-functioning, nationally interoperable Radiology Information System/Picture Archiving Systems in public hospitals which allows for seamless access to images and reports for patients wherever they live.
"The college would like to see wide adoption of the latest technology in the hospitals, which will certainly solve the long-standing IT problems."
The spokesperson said the college was pleased to see more training places being created in clinical radiology and radiation oncology but serious concerns remained.
"These issues have adverse impact on patients, putting them at risk of long waiting times, treatment delays, and misdiagnosis."
The college would welcome an investigation by the ombudsman into the situation in Hawke's Bay and was "ready to provide insights into and recommendations on best practices in radiology services".