The problem
Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ, MidCentral faced significant challenges in delivering effective and equitable medical imaging services. The demand for radiology services, particularly in hospital and community settings, had surged, outpacing the available capacity due to workforce shortages and rising costs. This resulted in longer wait times, underutilisation of services by Māori, inequities in access to services like maternity ultrasounds, and difficulties in managing the growing demand for high-tech imaging.
Our approach
Synergia was engaged to conduct a thorough analysis of the current state of medical imaging services and to develop strategic recommendations.
The approach included:
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Gathering quantitative data from hospital and community providers, alongside qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews and focus groups.
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Conducting interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement, focusing on general radiology, obstetrics and maternity ultrasound, and community radiology.
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Using a patient journey model to frame challenges and identify improvement actions, particularly with an equity lens to address disparities in service access for Māori, Pasifika, and disabled communities.
Impacts
The project resulted in several strategic benefits for Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ, MidCentral:
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Improved equity: Recommendations prioritised the imaging needs of Māori, Pasifika, and other high-need populations, addressing disparities and improving access to essential services.
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Enhanced service efficiency: By proposing streamlined processes, including better management of demand and optimised use of resources, the recommendations aimed to reduce wait times and improve the overall efficiency of medical imaging services.
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Sustainable community radiology: Long-term, viable contracts with private providers were recommended to ensure sustainable delivery of community radiology services, mitigating risks of service disruptions, particularly in underserved areas like Tararua.
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Data-driven improvements: The emphasis on better data collection, especially for disabled patients, and monitoring of service outcomes supports ongoing improvements in service delivery and patient care.
These benefits collectively aimed to ensure that MidCentral's medical imaging services are fit for purpose, future-proofed, and capable of delivering equitable and high-quality care to all patients.