Photo: ODT filesThe Southern District Health Board has surrendered to the pressure of record cancer treatment waiting lists and called on other medical providers for help. The board today announced it was issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for other health providers to help it provide radiation oncology services. Providers will be asked to tender for provision of first specialist assessments, planning and the subsequent radiation oncology treatment course. The Otago Daily Times reported a fortnight ago that cancer treatment waiting times were nearing crisis point, and last Monday SDHB board member and radiation oncologist Lyndell Kelly revealed that the radiation oncology treatment waiting list stood at a record 157 patients. Waiting lists are also long for CT and MRI scans, and several patients have suffered harm while they waited.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 12, 2021 03:45 UTC