Skip to main content

What analysis, if any, has been undertaken regarding whether Māori and Pasifika women are benefiting equitably from expanded community ultrasound access? and 1 other question

Answered 33245, 33246 (2026)
Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 33245

    What analysis, if any, has been undertaken regarding whether Māori and Pasifika women are benefiting equitably from expanded community ultrasound access?

  • 33246

    What impact, if any, has expanded community ultrasound access had on ovarian cancer diagnosis timelines or stage at diagnosis?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that community referred radiology has enabled consistent access to pelvic ultrasound across the country. Evidence-based criteria allow general practitioners, urgent care physicians, and primary and urgent care nurse practitioners to refer patients directly for pelvic ultrasound to support the rapid diagnosis of ovarian cancer. I am further advised that it is too soon to assess the impact of expanded ultrasound access on stage of ovarian cancer diagnosis. Such an assessment would rely on analysis of a sufficiently large cohort of patient information from the New Zealand Cancer Registry.