New digital radiography machines at Wellington Regional Hospital will boost services in the region, Health Minister Shane Reti says.
Watch the media conference above from about 9am.
Reti has opened the first of eight new x-ray machines now operational at the hospital.
Imaging that might have taken half an hour to capture and review can now be done in about a third of the time, he said, with quicker access enabling more patients to be seen every day.
"This investment represents a significant upgrade to radiology services at Wellington Regional and Kenepuru Community hospitals."
Patients would get their X-ray radiology done sooner and have a more comfortable experience, Reti said in response to media questions.
"Less moving of them, the machine will move rather than them and so their whole patient journey experience should be both faster but also more pleasant and the results we get are better able to be seen by the specialists for their diagnosis."
The rollout of the eight new machines will continue through to December this year and also includes the refurbishment of radiology rooms.
It followed an earlier upgrade of x-ray machines and radiology rooms at Hutt Hospital.
Meanwhile, the health minister said he has asked for advice on what actions can be taken to address the use of nitrous oxide as a recreational drug.
While nitrous oxide has medical and commercial uses, such pain relief or baking, it can also be used as a recreational drug known as 'nangs.'
Stuff recently reported vape stores in Christchurch were selling industrial-size canisters to recreational users.
Dr Reti said the responsibility for regulation would sit with several agencies, including Food Safety, but he was looking to see what can be done in health.
"I don't think any of us are pleased with the use of nitrous oxide other than its intended purpose, which essentially is in baking and cooking, and to have it used elsewhere and to have clinical complications is not good."
Reti said he was concerned nangs could be bought in vape shops and online.
Its use had the potential to alter a person's consciousness with the risk of accidents and there could be "more longer term neurological deficits".
"So it is something that does needs some serious attention."
