7. BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Does he share the concern expressed by a visiting American cancer expert that New Zealanders are missing out on high-quality diagnoses because we do not have a PET/CT scanner in this country; if not, why not?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
The first positron emission tomography (PET) scanner was brought into New Zealand just under a year ago by Pacific Radiology in Wellington. Although PET scanning is an exciting technology, there are a number of issues to consider around its wider use in New Zealand, including the sourcing of isotopes, which are currently flown to New Zealand from Australia. The case for public provision of PET scanning in New Zealand is under consideration now.
When did his ministry begin investigating the viability of PET scanning, and how much longer does he anticipate these investigations will take?
Ann HartleyWhat is the process for deciding whether new technologies such as PET scanning should be introduced into New Zealand’s public health system?
A process to assess new technologies was formulated recently—earlier this year. PET scanning became the first technology to undergo assessment. The process is designed to assess whether we need this or that new technology and if so, how many bits of kit we need, how and where we will place them, and how they will be funded. I am meeting with the relevant advisory committee on the PET scanner tomorrow to update myself on progress, and I anticipate that the final decision to proceed—or not—will be made early in the new year.
Is it possible that we are being denied the benefits of what has been described as the gold standard in cancer imaging because of bureaucratic dithering about who should pay for it?