X-rays remain free as review takes place

Health bosses reconsidering access to community-delivered radiology services

While Te Whatu Ora MidCentral’s clinical services plan is being worked on, communitydelivered radiology services continue to be free, a spokesperson says.

This comes amid suggestions Horowhenua locals were facing bills for X-rays again in Levin.

Te Whatu Ora chief operations officer Lyn Horgan told Hawke’s Bay Today this week that the clinical services plan was to ensure radiology services were “fit for purpose, effective, cost efficient and serviced equity outcomes”.

“Our clinical services plan is an opportunity to plan for the future and make sure we’re setting ourselves in the right direction.”

Earlier this year, THINK Hauora introduced new eligibility criteria for Community Referred Radiology Services which would mean some people in the Tararua district would be charged a fee for using radiology services, unless they opted to be referred to Palmerston North hospital.

Only those who were Ma¯ori or Pasifika or had a Community Services Card were eligible for a free service.

Urgent radiology needs were provided under a different programme.

In late June, following feedback from the community in Tararua and Horowhenua, THINK Hauora and Te Whatu Ora (then MidCentral District Health Board) reversed the decision and those services became free again until a review of radiology access was completed.

Horgan said the development of the clinical services plan had been slightly delayed by Covid-19 but an initial proposal has gone to the Iwi Ma¯ori Partnership Board for its feedback.

“Once we have acted on that feedback, it will then be shared formally with key stakeholders,” Horgan said.

She said in the meantime community-delivered radiology services would continue to be free for all patients.

“We are closely monitoring the uptake of radiology services across our rohe and will communicate with our communities if any further changes are planned.”

If you found you were being charged for X-rays, especially in relation to your ethnicity, please get details on a piece of paper, such as where, what day, what time, and who told you, to the Horowhenua Chronicle so we can inquire with Te Whatu Ora.