Position Statement - Patient Access to Imaging Services in New Zealand – During and After COVID-19 Social Distancing

Download pdf - 266.88 KB

New Zealand is focused on stopping the spread of COVID-19 and the District Health Boards (DHB) have been focused on preparing for the care of large numbers of COVID-19 patients. This has meant deferring care deemed not urgent.New Zealand is focused on stopping the spread of COVID-19 and the District Health Boards (DHB) have been focused on preparing for the care of large numbers of COVID-19 patients. This has meant deferring care deemed not urgent. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology (RANZCR) understands that decisions to defer radiology services might be more frequent than is appropriate for some patients. Deferring imaging may be delaying critical diagnosis and treatment with significant implications for patient outcomes. Moreover, it exacerbates already significant waiting lists once the social distancing restrictions are lifted. RANZCR requests that all available imaging services be used to maximise available care for patients during each Level of COVID-19 Alert.