The Cancer Society is warning staff shortages in radiology departments across the country could cost lives.
Newshub can reveal that Middlemore Hospital alone is short by 24 radiographers and the backlog of patients waiting for CT scans is growing quickly.
Middlemore Hospital's emergency department shortages are well known but now the Auckland hospital's radiology shortages are in the spotlight.
"It's causing real stress in the workplace and real consequences to waitlists and getting patients through the system," APEX national secretary Dr Deborah Powell said.
New data shows Middlemore Hospital has 24 full-time equivalent radiographer vacancies to fill with nine new hires due to start in the coming months.
APEX, the union has estimated the department actually needs 40 new radiographers.
It is a problem as an estimated 90 percent of emergency department patients are funnelled through radiology.
"It's really tough out there," Dr Powell said.
Dr Powell added although Middlemore has the country's busiest public radiology department, she is at pains to point out vacancies across the whole country are on average around 40 percent.
"We just haven't kept our complement, the number of staff we should have, up to the level to meet the demand," Dr Powell said.
There are also delays with Middlemore trying to clear the COVID-19 queue with 1444 patients still waiting for CT scans. An increase of nearly 300 since 2019.
Cancer Society's co-medical director Dr George Laking said it could cost lives.
"It's always this uneasy feeling that with every bit of delay how close are things going to that threshold of - 'oh dear me, it is too late'," Dr Laking said.
It's now almost impossible for GPs to order scans in the public system, even if they strongly suspect cancer.
"They have to make a referral to specialist services, and the specialist service is organising the scan. That introduces more time into the process," Dr Laking said.
But true to his form Health Minister Andrew Little remained confident in the system.
"I'm confident that Middlemore is keeping on top of those with the acute need."
That's certainly the hope for those facing life or death.
