06 May 2020

Position Statement: Safety must come first when resuming clinical radiology and radiation oncology services during COVID-19

Given the success seen in Australia and New Zealand to flatten the COVID-19 incidence curve, RANZCR strongly recommends a cautious, gradual and safety-first return to normal service provision.

COVID-19 will continue to impact on delivery of healthcare for some time, likely until the availability of a vaccine. In Australia and New Zealand, the number of new cases has been declining and there have been continued low rates of hospitalisation. As such, restrictions are continually being reviewed and we have already seen restrictions begin to be relaxed across some jurisdictions. It is prudent as we move from containment efforts to short-term recovery that plans to scale-up operations are carefully balanced.

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