Oamaru Hospital's radiology service is still being under-used, despite the opportunity to reduce waiting lists at Dunedin Hospital and save North Otago patients travelling to Dunedin.
Oamaru Hospital is run by Waitaki District Health Services, a company wholly owned by the Waitaki District Council. Its radiology department, including the latest CT (computed axial tomography) scanner, is now fully operational.
But the scanner is being under-used, despite its potential to reduce the Otago District Health Board's (ODHB) waiting list for scans.
The issue was raised yesterday when Waitaki District Health Services presented its half-yearly report to the council, showing it was in a good financial position with an operational surplus of almost $94,000 in the six months to the end of December. Annual surpluses are used to increase health services.
Company chairman George Berry raised the issue of making greater use of the scanner.
It was capable of handling, with ODHB funding and increased private use, significantly greater volumes.
Questioned by councillors, Mr Berry said the company was still negotiating to get more radiology services at Oamaru rather than Oamaru patients travelling to Dunedin, but it was meeting reluctance from Dunedin.
"We think we can do it better, cheaper and quicker for local people. We could have a lot to offer if we could get more funding from Dunedin," Mr Berry said.
The Accident Compensation Commission was referring patients to the Oamaru scanner and it was hoped to get more private patients referred by local doctors.
Scans for private patients cost between $300 and $800, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Mr Berry said the ODHB had confirmed the renewal of the health services contract it had with Waitaki Health Services for a further three years, although some details of pricing were still being resolved. That gave the company the assurance of a continuing contract commitment from the ODHB, essential to medium and long-term planning.
However, Mr Berry also had a note of caution about the future as the ODHB struggled with its own budget, which could adversely affect rural hospitals like Oamaru.
