11504 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 31 Mar 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	11504 (2025)
Question asked:	17 Mar 2025
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	25 Mar 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_11504_2025
Document guid:	cba50d9b-3e48-431e-832b-3b71e96e17e0

11504 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many districts in New Zealand currently rely on external radiology reporting providers due to staff shortages, and what proportion of scans are reported externally, listed by district?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that 15 out of 20 districts use external radiology reporting providers to some extent to support delivering access to timely, quality healthcare. I am further advised that providing the information as requested would require Health New Zealand to undertake a significant manual collation exercise, diverting staff from essential services. As per Speaker’s Ruling 185-6, the time and cost involved in answering this question are not justified in the public interest.