The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) has signaled a need for significant investment in
cutting edge technology to create an integrated health system and break down access and equity barriers for patients in
New Zealand.
RANZCR President Dr Lance Lawler said, “We welcomed the review and are pleased to see recognition of the important role
clinical radiology and radiation oncology play in providing quality care to patients.
“A more integrated health system will break down current silos and provide more accessible and equitable services for
all New Zealanders, regardless of ethnicity, location and other social factors. Significant technological investment is
required to achieve this. The adoption of a national digital health infrastructure that enhances clinical productivity
and connects DHB to DHB and private to public will bring New Zealand to the cutting edge of modern healthcare.
“It will also be critical to invest in training and retention of clinical radiologists and radiation oncologists. We
know that there are currently shortages across these specialties and demand will only continue to increase due to the
growing and ageing population. Moreover, continued innovation in image-guided procedures will require greater numbers of
interventional radiologists.”
RANZCR will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and our network of expert clinicians to improve health
care in New Zealand.
The final recommendations of the Health and Disability System Review are due to be delivered to the New Zealand
government in March 2020.
You can download RANZCR’s Faculty of Clinical Radiology and Faculty of Radiation Oncology’s submissions on RANZCR’s website.