The future of healthcare: MP Dr Vanessa Weenink
Kiwis have been waiting too long for medical tests.
As a former GP, I know the stress Kiwis face when waiting for a medical test. For too many, that wait has been far too long.
This year, nearly 75,000 additional diagnostic procedures will be delivered to tackle those delays, including 64,000 radiology procedures, 7100 colonoscopies, 2200 cardiac tests, and 1650 colposcopies. For patients, these aren’t just numbers – they represent faster answers, earlier diagnosis, and peace of mind at what can be one of the most worrying times in their lives.
Behind this delivery is a $65 million Diagnostic Improvement Plan to improve services, speeding up medical scans and tests. It builds on other recent changes, such as the $30 million expansion of community-referred radiology, which lets GPs, urgent care doctors, and nurse practitioners send patients directly for ultrasounds, CT scans, and x-rays. This cuts out unnecessary waits, reducing delays for patients and easing pressure on hospitals. Specialists can spend more time on assessments and surgeries, and emergency departments will see reduced demand. New training places in radiology and echo-sonography will be provided to meet future needs.
In addition, the upgrade of Christchurch Hospital’s cardiac catheterisation laboratory is now complete, marking a major milestone in the delivery of world-class cardiac care for the South Island. This project has delivered three state-of-the-art labs – one upgraded with new equipment in 2021, a second upgraded earlier this year, and now the completion of a brand-new third lab. Christchurch Hospital provides the South Island’s only electrophysiology and complex structural heart intervention services. This upgrade ensures that life-saving interventions, such as acute stenting for heart attacks and advanced electrophysiology treatments, use the latest technology.
The new facilities also deliver significant clinical improvements. Advanced imaging and diagnostic technology provide greater precision for complex procedures, while reduced radiation exposure improves safety for both patients and staff. These additional procedures will mean answers sooner, treatment earlier, and better long-term health outcomes.
