Full Breakdown
IT Outage Disrupts Radiology Services in Auckland and Northland Hospitals
2/26/2026, 12:53:01 PM
Overview of the Incident
On a recent day, hospitals in Auckland and Northland experienced a significant IT outage that disrupted the transfer of radiology images, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The outage lasted for approximately two hours and was described as "major" by the Public Service Association. Health New Zealand confirmed that the issue impacted the system responsible for managing all medical images across the affected hospitals.
Response and Resolution
Health New Zealand reported that the outage was resolved quickly, utilizing standard backup processes to ensure the continued review of radiology images. A spokesperson stated, "During the outage standard back-up processes were used for the reviewing of radiology images." They emphasized that patient care was not compromised during this period, and services were fully restored within two hours.
Criticism and Calls for Improvement
In light of the incident, the Public Service Association has called for an immediate review of funding for health digital services and IT infrastructure. They argue that such outages highlight the need for improved investment in technology to prevent future disruptions that could potentially impact patient care.
Official Statements
Health New Zealand maintained that the outage did not affect patient services, asserting that their response protocols effectively managed the situation. The organization emphasized their commitment to maintaining high standards of patient care, even during technical difficulties.
What's Next
The incident has sparked discussions regarding the adequacy of current IT infrastructure in New Zealand's healthcare system. Stakeholders are likely to advocate for increased funding and resources to enhance digital services, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Verbatim Quotes
- “During the outage standard back-up processes were used for the reviewing of radiology images.” — Health New Zealand Spokesperson
- "The outage was major, and the government needs to immediately review funding for health digital services and IT infrastructure." — Public Service Association Representative
