Pateints have been left in limbo by a shortage of radiology services. Photo: 123RF
Health New Zealand data shows 18,000 patients had waited longer than 42 days for CT or MRI scans by June.
APEX union, which obtained the data under the Official Information Act, said it was further evidence of the "grim" state of public radiology services.
National secretary Deborah Powell, who represented medical imaging technologists and sonographers, said patients were left in limbo.
"This is essential to getting a diagnosis, so we can get on with treatment, so this fear is very real. Many of them will also be in pain, and we need the diagnosis to get in and treat the pain."
The data showed 13 of Health NZ's 19 districts did not meet requirements in May to scan and report more than 65 percent of MR scans within 42 days of referral, while seven of 19 districts did not meet the target for CT scans.
"Across New Zealand, medical imaging technologists, clinicians and patients are worried about Health New Zealand's lethargic response to the radiology crisis," Powell said.
APEX's recent report exposed the problems with staff shortages and old equipment, she said.
While Health NZ had signalled plans for 20 new CT scanners and 10 MRI machines, there was no information yet about whether they had been approved, which regions would get them and when they would go online, she said.
"We know Palmerston North is getting a new CT scanner early next year, but there's only 1.5 MITs [medical imaging technologists] to run it, which isn't enough.
"Management tell us they are developing a plan, but no-one has sought the input of our union, as representatives of the workforce.
"We are seeing no additional resourcing being released to support medical imaging teams, while requests for support are being refused. It would be fair to say, many of our members now believe that senior managers do not understand the serious impact this crisis is having right now on medical imaging technologists or patients."
With the new crop of MIT graduates coming out in November, Health NZ needed to act fast to employ them, before they followed previous cohorts straight to Australia or into the private sector, Powell said.
"The private sector is also taking our experienced people, which is a double whammy, because then there's no-one to look after the new grads."
Health NZ hospitals funding director Rachel Haggerty said her organisation recognised the need for "timely and effective radiology services".
"We acknowledge there are challenges in delivering the timely radiology patients deserve, but these challenges are not unique to New Zealand," she said. "Demand for Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are currently increasing at 6.5 percent per annum.
"We are continuing to work with the sector and our workforce to address issues of increasing demand, and the impact this has on radiology services.
"Our Radiology National Clinical Network has, this year, established a Medical Imaging Technologists (MIT) Workforce Group from across the country to discuss workforce issues, and identify initiatives to better support the workforce and help us to work smarter.
"Long term, we have a plan to grow our workforce, which includes training pathways for specialist imaging technologists and radiographers.
"The annual $30 million investment from government in the Community Referred Radiology service will ensure greater access to diagnostic radiology for primary care, and we are working with the sector to support services and ensure they are sustainable."
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