Wellington Hospital MRI Team Reduce Waiting List 60%

The union which represents medical imaging technologists - APEX Union - is celebrating news the MRI team at Wellington Hospital has reduced their waiting list by 60% over the last six months through running weekend, early morning and evening sessions.

MRI scans are imaging scans of patients created by radio waves and giant magnets which are important for patients with a range of diseases and health conditions such as cancer, heart valve problems, strokes, torn ligaments, brain aneurysms, endometriosis and pancreatitis.

Wellington Hospital has two MRI scanners which are used to diagnose and guide treatment for musculoskletal injuries, neurological conditions, oncology, cardiac and chronic pain conditions. Wellington’s MRI team also provides a 24/7 service for emergencies including spine and brain injuries.

“The number of patients on Capital and Coast’s MRI waiting list has dropped from 1,700 in September 2025 to 650 in March 2026. The 60% reduction in waiting lists is a massive accomplishment and credit to the MR technicians and their managers who have made this possible,” said Dr Deborah Powell, national secretary of APEX.

“With Diagnostic Boost funding the team has been running extra sessions including on weekends, early mornings and evenings. As a results 10-12% more patients are now being scanned per week. The hospital is now on track to end MRI outsourcing by the end of June, saving considerable public funding” continued Dr Powell.

“As we set out in our report Broken Scanners, investment in public radiology and sustainable seven-day services is the way forward in health. Reinvesting outsourcing money into public health is a game changer for patients who will get their diagnosis and treatment sooner as a result,” concluded Dr Powell.

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