RHCNZ Community and Sustainability Initiatives

Environmental Commitment

RHCNZ is driven by the desire to achieve better health outcomes and a sustainable future for Aotearoa. The organization implements sustainability into business operations, striving to influence change through activities that create positive impact now and for generations to come.

As Dr Jeremy Shar, Radiologist, states: "Supporting organisations committed to making a genuine difference to the health and wellbeing of others for a sustainable future underpins our community partnership initiatives."

Auckland Radiology Sustainability Achievements

Auckland Radiology colleagues have made significant strides in implementing sustainable change in waste reduction, recycling, and partnering with suppliers who contribute profits to benefit others.

Future Sustainability Planning

Implementing effective sustainable initiatives nationwide across the medical imaging group is integral to business planning for 2023.

Terry McLaughlin, Chief Executive, emphasizes: "Sustainable business practice matters. Our journey is just beginning and we know there is more to do in order to help protect the natural resources we all rely on for our health and wellbeing."

Te Whatu Ora Collaboration

RHCNZ is committed to making world-class radiology easily accessible to regional communities. This commitment underpins the longstanding success of Bay Radiology colleagues in building collaborative service partnerships with Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty radiology service.

Public-Private Partnership Model

As part of the commitment to regional healthcare needs, all radiologists in the Bay region work an equal commitment to meeting public and private regional needs. This includes:

• Spending 50% of their time working at Tauranga Hospital
• Providing on-call availability for public hospital services

This collaborative model ensures that radiologist expertise, flexibility, and technology are responsive to the changing needs of the community.

Regional Accessibility

With a range of branch locations throughout the wider Bay of Plenty, RHCNZ provides easy, convenient access close to patients' homes and work locations. Dr Kunaal Rajpal, Managing Radiologist Bay of Plenty, notes: "We have the radiologist expertise, flexibility and technology to be responsive to the changing needs of our community."

Western Bay of Plenty Partnership

RHCNZ provides complementary clinic space to the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation Support to Screen Team in the Bay Radiology Whakatane branch. This collaboration focuses on removing barriers to vital regional healthcare screening services.

Coordinated Screening Approach

Utilizing RHCNZ clinic space, the Support to Screen Team coordinates patient appointments for breast screening and cervical screening in one visit. This approach improves uptake of potentially life-saving screening services through convenience of time and location.

The one-visit model addresses common barriers to screening participation by:

• Reducing travel requirements
• Saving patient time
• Providing convenient locations
• Coordinating multiple screening services

NZ Gut Foundation Partnership

Pacific Radiology colleagues have teamed up with the NZ Gut Foundation to conduct research and deliver initiatives aimed at identifying and removing barriers to early diagnosis and treatment of many gut-related diseases, including bowel cancer.

Identifying Barriers to Care

The partnership has identified significant barriers to early diagnosis and treatment:

1. Communication barriers: People's unease at talking about their bowel movements
2. Knowledge gaps: Lack of awareness about diagnostic testing options available
3. Access issues: Uncertainty about where and who to talk to about symptoms

Bowel Cancer Statistics in Aotearoa

Every day in New Zealand, nine people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and three of them die. RHCNZ recognizes that across Aotearoa, far too many people are suffering more than necessary.

PORT-A-LOO Campaign

RHCNZ is proud to participate in the Gut Foundation's traveling PORT-A-LOO campaign. This unique initiative features:

• A distinctive artwork piece traveling the length of Aotearoa over a 12-month period
• Both urban and rural area coverage
• High visibility and public engagement
• A fun and engaging approach to difficult conversations

The campaign has been very successful in raising awareness of bowel cancer and getting important conversations started in communities that might otherwise avoid discussing bowel health.

Medical Leadership Perspective

Dr Adrian Balasingam, Chief Medical Officer, emphasizes the importance of timely access to diagnosis: "Gaining access to a timely diagnosis can be lifesaving. If we can help our surgical and gastroenterology colleagues by taking some of the pressure off burgeoning colonoscopy waitlists, then let's do it."

Northland Healthcare Enhancement

Whangarei and Northland communities are set to receive a major healthcare boost through the opening of a new PET-CT scanner clinic in Whangarei, enhancing diagnostic capabilities in the region.

Canterbury Service Expansion

More choice for Cantabrians in sports and injury healthcare has been achieved through the recent opening of a new Pacific Radiology clinic, meeting growing demand for injury-related radiology services.

People-Centric Approach

RHCNZ prioritizes a sustainable and people-centric approach to healthcare delivery. The organization's commitment to ensuring radiology and exceptional patient care become accessible to nationwide communities drives all community partnership initiatives.

Generational Impact

The organization strives to influence change through business activities that create positive impact now and for generations to come. This long-term perspective guides both sustainability initiatives and community partnership programs.

Expertise and Accessibility

With radiologist expertise, flexibility, and technology, RHCNZ remains responsive to the changing needs of communities across New Zealand. Multiple branch locations ensure that world-class radiology is delivered locally, close to where patients live and work.