As a result of a number of ongoing challenges faced by Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s radiology department the International Accreditation of New Zealand (IANZ) has suspended accreditation for radiology services for Te Whatu Ora in Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay.
The challenges include unsuitable space, aging equipment, workforce shortages, and IT issues. These factors have contributed to a position where the waits for some scans are longer than they should be.
IANZ acknowledged the considerable efforts and work by the radiology team to address and mitigate the issues currently being experienced.
The suspension of accreditation does not change the delivery of these essential radiology services for the Hawke’s Bay community – all services offered by the department will continue to be provided.
Acting head of department Dr Richard Cooper says people should still attend their appointments.
“Our team works tirelessly, despite the challenges faced, to provide safe and timely radiology services to our rohe. I want to reassure the community that they should attend their appointments to ensure they receive treatment as quickly as possible.”
“Accreditation has been suspended as we are currently unable to deliver what is required to achieve it. IANZ assesses us against the level of care we should be delivering to the community of Hawke’s Bay, and we remain focused on the steps that are needed to meet the accreditation standard.”
“We are not immune from the well documented world-wide health workforce shortage, and we have been doing the best we can for our patients”, said Dr Cooper.
In its report IANZ noted the work already underway to address the issues leading to the accreditation suspension including;
- Improving stability of the Radiology Information System, including a recent upgrade,
- Ongoing endeavours to recruit medical imaging technologists and radiologists from overseas
- Replacement, later this year, of the main Computed Tomography (CT) scanner in the department
- Recent funding approval to redevelop the Radiology department, including addition of new and additional imaging capacity, with the plans at the architectural stage.
Te Whatu Ora is currently working through the recommendations and requirements to have accreditation reinstated.
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