APEX union welcomes $65m procedures boost, urges sustained investment in staff and equipment to fix radiology crisis

APEX union, representing over 5,500 allied, scientific and technical workers, today welcomed Health Minister Simeon Brown’s $65 million investment to deliver 75,000 more diagnostic procedures, through both public and private providers.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the announcement of this funding for more procedures, which is essential to clearing backlogs and delivering timely treatment,” said Dr Deborah Powell, APEX National Secretary.

However, APEX cautioned the investment must be backed by a clear strategy to fix the crumbling infrastructure and staff shortages plaguing public radiology.

“Our recent report Broken Scanners, Exhausted Staff found significant failings in our public radiology services: outdated equipment, shortages of equipment, and an exhausted workforce,” Dr Powell said. “These issues are hampering public radiology services from lifting productivity and delivering the levels of scanning New Zealand needs, with clear flow-on impacts on our health targets.”

The union also supported the expansion of training places in radiography and sonography to meet future demand, emphasising that a nationally coordinated approach is needed to sustainably grow our skilled workforce and boost productivity.

APEX looks forward to working with Health New Zealand to ensure this new funding delivers improvements for both patients and the health workers who deliver these vital services.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Dr. Deborah Powell
APEX National Secretary
Phone: 021 614 040
Email: secretary@apex.org.nz

Further information:

• (2025). Broken Scanners, Exhausted Staff. Inside the Unravelling of Public Radiology and Medical Imaging.
• APEX Media Release – Grim New Data Shows 18,000 patients waiting longer than 42 days for CT or MRI Scans – 18/09/2025