Advocacy

The College actively engages with governments, industry, consumers and other stakeholders in clinical radiology and radiation oncology to ensure consumers have access to quality services.

Policy and Advocacy in Action

The Policy and Advocacy in Action is a bi-annual report that provides a concise overview of the depth and breadth of RANZCR’s efforts in advocating on behalf of members, patients, and the profession. Our purpose is to be transparent about the diverse and multiple activities we undertake to influence and help shape the policy and practice landscape, by reporting on our progress and the impacts on patients and on members’ daily clinical practice. 

 

RANZCR Policy and Advocacy in Action Report Mid 2024

Previous Reports

Policy and Advocacy in Action Inaugural Report - July 2023

Policy and Advocacy in Action July-December 2023

 

RANZCR has prioritised four areas that we ask for commitment by the Australian Government. RANZCR has identified that funding for breast markers, brachytherapy services and uterine fibroid embolisation in particular, will address some of the gender inequity issues of Medicare funding, giving women greater access to these lifesaving and life enhancing services. The commitments can be viewed below:

RANZCR Pre Budget Submission 2023

Some examples of advocacy specific to the New Zealand setting include:

  • Liaison with the Ministry of Health’s Cancer Control Agency, in particular the College’s submission on the Cancer Action Plan.
  • Participation in the Health and Disability Review: the respective Chairs for the New Zealand Radiology and Radiation Oncology Committees met with the Chair of the review; Ms Heather Simpson, and both Faculties made detailed submissions to the review.
  • The establishment of an expert advisory group that meets regularly with the Accident and Compensation Corporation (ACC) to discuss issues pertinent to musculoskeletal medicine. Recent topics of discussion have included, the nationwide roll out of the HTI programme (GP MRI referrals), ethical referrals and preserving patient choice.
  • Ongoing liaison with the Ministry of Health’s Radiation Oncology Working Group and National Radiology Advisory Group.
  • In the lead up to the 2020 New Zealand General Election, the College: developed a document detailing the College’s election priorities and surveyed all political parties seeking commitments to the issues most important to our members, including patient access to safe and vital medical imaging and radiation therapy.

Our work to develop policy, professional standards, practice standards and quality projects is the foundation of our advocacy work. For some examples of our advocacy work, please refer to our position statements and submissions and media releases.

NZ Election Priorities 2023

We also undertake a number of other initiatives:

Choosing Wisely

Choosing Wisely logo officialThe College is proud to be a founding partner of Choosing Wisely Australia and Choosing Wisely New Zealand. The goal of Choosing Wisely is to start conversations between consumers and clinicians about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures, enhancing the quality of care and, where appropriate, reducing unnecessary care.

Choose Wisely NZRANZCR has identified 11 procedures that clinicians and consumers should question. Read our recommendations.

Visit Choosing Wisely Australia for information about the Australian initiative or Choosing Wisely New Zealand for information on the New Zealand campaign.

 

Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer

Targeting Cancer logoOne in two cancer patients would benefit from radiation therapy at some time during their cancer experience. However, fewer than one in three patients in Australia and New Zealand will actually receive radiation therapy.

In 2013, the Faculty of Radiation Oncology initiated the Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer campaign to raise awareness among the cancer community and health professionals that radiation therapy is an effective, safe and sophisticated treatment for cancer.

The award-winning Targeting Cancer website is a trusted source of information about radiation therapy for cancer patients and their families, as well as for other health professionals, especially General Practitioners.

Visit Targeting Cancer

InsideRadiology

InsideRadiology with wordsInsideRadiology is an award-winning website that provides consumers and health professionals with accurate, up-to-date, easily accessible information about medical imaging tests and treatments.

All information is written by Fellows of the College or other expert health professionals, and made as easy as possible to understand for consumers and healthcare professionals.

Visit InsideRadiology

International Day of Radiology

Held on 8 November every year, the International Day of Radiology aims to build greater awareness of how clinical radiology contributes to safe patient care, and to improve understanding of the vital role clinical radiologists play in health care.

Each year International Day of Radiology celebrates a new theme. The College engages in a variety of activities to celebrate these themes, including developing resources and hosting events. Find out more about how we marked the International Day of Radiology 2023.