Healthcare does not stop on weekends, and access to diagnostic imaging should not either.

After experiencing suspected ruptured waters during pregnancy, I was unable to access a scan because local radiology services were closed over the weekend. Situations like this leave patients waiting in uncertainty and can delay important medical decisions.

This issue affects many people across Tauranga and New Zealand, including:
• pregnant women needing urgent assessment
• patients with injuries requiring imaging
• elderly patients
• people referred urgently by GPs who cannot wait days for answers

Too many people are left with limited options outside normal business hours, often ending up in already overwhelmed emergency departments simply because community imaging services are unavailable.

We are calling for:
✔️ Weekend ultrasound access
✔️ Weekend X-ray services
✔️ Urgent community imaging referrals accepted Saturdays and Sundays
✔️ Better access to diagnostic healthcare outside Monday–Friday business hours

Timely imaging improves patient safety, reduces anxiety, and helps reduce pressure on emergency departments.

Healthcare needs do not stop on weekends. Diagnostic access shouldn’t either.