X-ray charges halted
Feedback means ethnicity-based trial is on hold
Atrial which meant locals were charged for x-ray services based on ethnicity has been temporarily halted after community feedback.
Initially, MidCentral DHB operations executive for primary, public and community health Deborah Davies said criteria for Community Referred Radiology Services (CRRS) were recently revised to focus on delivering the best possible outcomes for as many people as possible with the resources available.
“This includes using Community Service Cards (CSC) as one of the pro-equity eligibility criteria, alongside ethnicity of Ma¯ ori and Pacifica. As demand is high, the new eligibility criteria ensures the service can be accessed by those who need it most — those who are most vulnerable to poor health outcomes because of high health needs.”
But following community feedback and questions from the Horowhenua Chronicle, the trial was put on hold. Several locals had contacted the Chronicle upset about being asked to pay.
Davies said the protests had been heard and listened to.
“Improving access and equity for those in our communities is a key priority for MidCentral and THINK Hauora. As a part of this we recently trialled new access criteria for our community delivered radiology services with the aim of better supporting those in need in our district within a sustainable services. When this was implemented, we committed to closely monitoring the impact of this approach.
“Together with THINK Hauora, we’ve listened to the feedback we’ve heard from our rural communities. We’re pleased to say that community-delivered radiology services will return to being free in the interim for all patients in the Tararua, Horowhenua and Otaki ¯ localities. This will be in place from this week, and remain in place until we have completed a review of radiology access.”
Davies said the temporary changes to Horowhenua radiology services involved only one radiology contract — CRRS.
“If a patient has a situation that requires urgent radiology attention, this is covered under our Primary Options for Acute Care (POAC) programme, where they can access radiology assessment immediately. This urgent service is available to all and comes at no cost to patients.
“The Community Referred Radiology Service is an additional and supplementary service for non-injury related radiology. Very few districts in New Zealand provide such a service. This has a capped annual value,” she said.
Horowhenua covers 32,000 people of whom 31 per cent live rurally, 38 per cent of whom are considered deprived economically, with 27 per cent identifying as Ma¯ori. The area was recently chosen to lead a community-led health pilot, given its track record in community-led initiatives, such as vaccination clinics.
“The local DHB MidCentral has been a leader in locality planning,” Minister Andrew Little said when he was here in April to launch the locality network pilot (Horowhenua Chronicle April 29, p1).
Interim Health NZ Board member Dame Karen Poutasi was also here that day and claimed the new system will make access to health services easier and that its aim is to eventually deliver more services closer to home.
O¯ taki MP Terisa Ngobi was asked about the recent change in criteria.
“We stand for quality health care for all New Zealanders, no matter who you are or where you live.
“We, of course, also want easy access to health services,” she said.
“It is my understanding that this decision was made by the relevant Primary Health Organisation, THINK Hauora. Primary Health Organisations are funded by DHBs, but themselves fund particular services and choose the criteria by which they can be accessed.
“I have been advised that there is currently a Medical Diagnostics Imaging review at Midcentral DHB to ensure that radiology services are fit for service, future-proofed, delivering value for money from current and future investments, and contributing to patient outcomes equitably,” Ngobi said.
“While the Medical Diagnostics Imaging review is being completed, the access criteria for residents in Horowhenua and O¯ taki has been revised to enable all residents to be provided access to radiology services free of charge from June 27.”
The new eligibility criteria ensures the service can be accessed by those who need it most — those who are most vulnerable to poor health outcomes because of high health needs.
Deborah Davies, MidCentral DHB