22nd September 2010
To the Education and Science Committee
Petition 2008/88 of Paul Maggs
This supplementary submission is presented by:
Paul Maggs MSc., HDCR
I can be contacted at:
The Radiology Department,
Green Lane Clinical Centre
Private Bag 92189
AUCKLAND 1142
 09 307 4949 x 4216
pmaggs@adhb.govt.nz
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide additional supplementary support for my proposal that
Medical Imaging education be moved out of the polytechnic sector and into the university sector. The
supporting evidence detailed below is in response to the submissions received by the committee from Heather
Gunn (a former senior lecturer on the Unitec Medical Imaging programme) and the Tertiary Education
Committee (TEC).
I am presenting this supplementary evidence in my capacity as a private individual and a practicing medical
radiation technologist (MRT).
I shall address the issues raised in both submissions, dealing initially with the response from the TEC dated 24
August 2010.
The first point the TEC raise is that ‘Unitec has been in discussion with the University of Auckland about
increasing collaboration between the two institutions for postgraduate medical imaging education and
research’.
Unitec has indeed been in conversation with the University of Auckland about postgraduate Medical Imaging
education this year. The University of Auckland’s position was that it could only consider offering
postgraduate Medical Imaging if EFTS were made available for this purpose (i.e. transferred from Unitec to
the university), and an earlier discussion between Unitec and the university suggested that this was a
reasonable prospect. However, it is my understanding that the most recent request from Unitec was for very
limited and superficial 'collaboration' that might have assisted Unitec, but had no reciprocal value for the
university .1
Regardless, the University of Auckland remains very interested in the prospect of actually offering
postgraduate Medical Imaging qualifications and recognises the synergies that exist with their other health
qualifications and facilities. Indeed, they state that “it is our belief that these postgraduate programmes can
and probably should be transferred to The University of Auckland (my emphasis). This approach would be in
line with the position in Australia where the postgraduate qualifications sit within large research-intensive
Universities. Further, it is consistent with the Tertiary Education Strategy approach that will concentrate
postgraduate study in the University sector” 2
1
Personal communication from Mark Barrow, Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Medical and Health
Sciences, The University of Auckland to Paul Maggs, dated Friday 17th September 2010.
2
Letter dated 5th August 2010, sent to Education and Science Select Committee by Iain Martin, Dean of the
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences the University of Auckland
1 | P a g e For a comprehensive review of the pertinent facts, refer to the letter dated 5th August 2010 which was sent to
the Education and Science Select Committee by Iain Martin, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health
Sciences, The University of Auckland (Appendix A)
Since my initial submission (dated 14 July 2010), the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of
Medical Radiation Technologists (NZIMRT) has held its AGM (26th August 2010) at which support was
sought for a remit being presented by the Charge MRTs of the Greater Auckland DHBs requesting that the
NZIMRT review and explore the provision of postgraduate education of MRTs and actively pursue moving it
out of the polytechnic sector and into the university sector (Appendix B). The remit was overwhelmingly
supported, with ALL MRTs present (both diagnostic MRTs and radiation therapists) being in favour of the
submission (the minutes of the meeting can be found in Appendix C).
This remit will therefore be tabled at the national NZIMRT AGM held in Wellington on 16th October 2010.
The remit requires that a national ballot of NZIMRT members be undertaken to determine whether or not they
support this move. If supported, the remit requires NZIMRT to report back to the membership by March
2011. If in favour, NZIMRT will be obliged to lend their support for the move of postgraduate education from
the polytechnic to the university sector.
I should like to emphasise the point that, even though a report will not be presented until March 2011, the
NZIMRT members present at the Auckland branch AGM supported the remit with a 100% vote in favour.
That means that the branch which represents 36% of the national membership3 of the NZIMRT is already
known to be in favour of the remit.
However, I do not believe that we can wait for the results of the ballot before taking any action. At the present
moment in time, postgraduate staffing at Unitec is in crisis, with two key staff having resigned, one having
reduced her employment and two being on sick/stress leave. Further resignations are anticipated.
There are no equivalently-skilled staff available in New Zealand to replace these staff, and such is Unitec's
unfortunate current reputation in this area that it is most unlikely that experienced Medical Imaging
professionals would apply. Currently, Unitec postgraduate enrolments in all modalities are static or in decline
(with the exception of the new mammography courses), and increasing numbers of New Zealand students are
now enrolling with the University of Sydney.
If action is not taken now we are in serious danger of seeing the course collapse completely. In that event,
both the NZIMRT and the Medical Radiation Technologist Board (MRTB) would have to step in and remedy
the situation, although quite how they might go about doing that after the course has collapsed is beyond me.
Where are they going to find the experienced staff needed to run the programme? We need proactive action
now, not retroactive closing of barn doors that have been left wide open for a considerable period of time.
The second point raised by TEC relates to the undergraduate Medical Imaging programme. The TEC state
that the ITP – I presume that they are referring to Unitec since ITP is a global term that covers the institute of
technology and polytechnic (ITP) sector rather than a specific faculty – has organised student visits to the
cadaver (wet) lab and radiology laboratories at the Faculty of Medical and Health Studies at the university and
that “such collaborative efforts are in line with the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy 2010-2015”.
They fail to mention that the visits in question account for only 3-6 hours of academic time (2 x 3 hour visits)
over the course of an entire academic year, if they take place at all.
A little bit of history regarding these visits is cogent to the matter in hand. When they were first proposed by
Heather Gunn (senior Medical Imaging lecturer and author of the other submission I have been asked to
comment on) in 2008, Unitec flatly refused to fund the visits, believing them to be unnecessary. They only
went ahead that year because Heather fought for them and gained funding from the NZIMRT. In 2009 Unitec
agreed to pay for the visits. However, the visits are not timetabled as a matter of routine. For example, this
year’s visit to the wet lab by the second year Medical Imaging students is their first and it is only going ahead
3
Statistic supplied in e-mail correspondence by David Morris, General Secretary, NZIMRT
2 | P a g e because they insisted on it, it was not timetabled by Unitec. They did not visit the wet lab at all in their first
year (2009, when Unitec agreed to fund them). This is hardly therefore the shining beacon of collaboration
that the TEC make it out to be.
Furthermore, the TEC state that “such collaborative efforts are in line with the Governments Tertiary
Education Strategy 2010-2015, utilising existing resources to maximise student benefits and best practices”
(my emphasis) . I beg to differ. Indeed, it is my belief that the situation, such as it exists at the moment, is the
polar opposite of those stated aims and ideals.
As far as the Medical Imaging programme goes, Unitec has a paucity of existing resources when compared
with those at The University of Auckland. The existing facilities on the university site include MRI scanners
and Ultrasound equipment. Access to CT and conventional imaging equipment is available in the adjacent
Auckland City Hospital radiology department – Unitec can provide none of these facilities. Neither will they
ever be in a position to afford them. The University also has a wet lab, radiology laboratories, access to
consultant radiologists and, perhaps most importantly of all, access to the radiology registrars and all their
associated training facilities (which, from the Medical Imaging programme’s point of view would be a
tremendous resource given the potential for collaboration between the two groups). Access to such facilities
are essential to the success of the programme and the best way to maximise existing resources, as per TEC
strategy, is to move the programmes to a site which actually has existing resources – i.e. The University of
Auckland.
It seems timely to refer you back to the submission from The University of Auckland at this point. They state
in their submission that “should Unitec either decide to exit the delivery of this qualification or have funding
for it withdrawn, The University of Auckland would be keen to deliver an undergraduate programme”. We
want it, they’ve got it, lets do it!
The final issue dealt with by the TEC is the accreditation of the programme by ITP Quality and The New
Zealand Medical Radiation Technologist Board.
The letter from the TEC states that, at their request, ITP Quality inquired into the delivery of Unitec’s
programme and was satisfied that the institution has taken the necessary actions to remedy the issues
associated with the move. I assume that the TEC are referring to issues raised by the student MRTs in their
petition (2008/89) and not mine. My petition (2008/88) did not cover any issues raised as a result of the recent
move of the Medical Imaging programme from the Carrington site to the Waitakere site because I firmly
believe that the argument for the need to move the programme out of the polytechnic sector and into the
university sector stands on its own merit, regardless of any internal institutional issues.
However, since the TEC have made reference to these issues in their response to my petition, I now feel
obliged to address some of the issues raised by the Medical Imaging students.
The TEC state that ITP Quality inquired into the delivery of Unitec’s programme. I refer you to the
supporting submission made by Heather Gunn (dated 24th August 2010 and received by the Committee on
27th August 2010) where you will note that the opinion of the lecturers who actually deliver the programme
was not sought. Not a single clinical lecturer was involved in formulating the response to ITP Quality’s query.
Indeed, they did not even know that such a query had been made. It is worth noting that at the time of the
inquiry, the five clinical lecturers who delivered the undergraduate Medical Imaging programme had 73 years
of experience between them. The response to the query was made by senior Unitec management, none of
whom has ever been an MRT – why did Unitec not allow the Medical Imaging programme’s own staff to
comment on the state of the programme? The answer apparently lies in the next paragraph of Heather Gunn’s
submission which states that, without exception, the Medical Imaging teaching staff at Unitec fully support
the petitions of both the Medical Imaging students and the qualified Medical Radiation Technologists who
signed my petition.
The Medical Imaging students have written several letters to the MRTB voicing their concerns and decrying
the standard of the course and lack of facilities. I have attached the most recent letter from the first year
Medical Imaging students (dated 13th September 2010) which was sent to the MRTB two weeks ago
3 | P a g e (Appendix D). I have also attached a letter (dated 8th September 2010) which the first year Medical Imaging
students sent to Dr Rick Ede, the CEO of Unitec (Appendix E). At the time of writing, there has been no
written response from Dr Ede.
Having read these letters, it is clear that Unitec's undergraduate degree is also in crisis, with a combination of
resignations and sick/stress leave amongst academic staff leading to the cancellation of classes. Students are
deeply concerned and are making enquiries to transfer to either UCOL or CPIT. With two or three further
resignations likely in the next few weeks, there will be only one full time Medical Imaging academic left to
teach at the undergraduate level. The programme will have to close under these circumstances.
The TEC were informed that this was a likely eventuality at the end of last year in two submissions made on
behalf of the Medical Imaging community by the Charge MRTs of the three main Auckland DHBs i.e.
Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitemata. (Appendicies F & G). Unitec was also informed of this risk in
October 2009 at a meeting between the Medical Imaging staff and Unitec Chief Executive, Dr. Rick Ede and
Health Science Dean Wendy Horne (Appendix I).
The submission from the TEC states that the decision to accredit providers of the Medical Imaging
programme lies with the Medical Radiation Technologist Board (MRTB). They go on to point out that
accreditation and monitoring occurs on a five year cycle and comprises a review of the curriculum and the
five interim annual reports on the institution, as well on on-site visits and monitoring of clinical assessments
of students. However, they fail to provide any detail of the MRTB’s findings in their most recent 5 yearly
report which was issued on 2/7/10. A copy of this report can be found in Appendix H. The report identified “a
number of serious concerns”, details of which can be found in the report.
The TEC argue that, based on the MRTB’s continuing accreditation of the undergraduate and postgraduate
qualifications in Medical Imaging, there is no conclusive reason for moving the programme to the university
sector. In making this statement, they have failed to take into account the MRTB’s serious concerns about the
current state of the undergraduate programme. They have also chosen to omit any mention of the fact that the
Charge MRTs of the Greater Auckland DHB’s have previously written to the TEC expressing their concerns
and indicating their preference for at least postgraduate Medical Imaging to be transferred to the university
sector (Appendix J).
I appreciate that, as an independent body, they have to weigh up the evidence presented to them but in relying
on the feedback they have received from ITP Quality it would appear that they have not received all the
evidence necessary to make an informed decision. The same argument cannot be applied to their apparent and
surprising indifference to the evidence supplied to them in earlier communications from the Charge MRTs of
the three main Auckland DHBs (Appendix F and Appendix G) and the clinical managers from the main
Auckland DHB’s (Appendix I), both groups having expressed concern about the deteriorating state of
Medical Imaging education at Unitec, and seeking TEC consideration for its transfer to the university sector.
Unitec’s responses to these concerns have always promised much and delivered nothing. The momentum for
change within the Medical Imaging profession is widespread, compelling and in stark contrast to the TECs
apparent inertia. The time for sitting on the fence and hoping the status quo will prevail is over – we need the
TEC to take decisive action and we need them to do it now.
In summary, the TEC decision not to move these programmes into the university sector is based on;
1.
The continuing accreditation of the programme by the MRTB – flawed reasoning based on a lack of
evidence – the MRTB have serious concerns about the programme.
2.
The vocational nature of the programme – flawed logic. Medicine is similarly vocational but there is
no suggestion that it be offered by the polytechnic sector
3.
Existing collaboration between Unitec and The University of Auckland – flawed data. Existing
collaboration accounts for approximately 3-6 hours per student per academic year and there is no
reciprocal benefit for the University from this collaboration.
4 | P a g e In closing, one final point needs to be made, one more time. As I indicated in my original submission,
Medical Imaging education in Australia, the UK and the rest of the developed world is being taught
exclusively in the university sector. We must follow suit – failure to do so is short sighted in the extreme will
set the New Zealand Medical Imaging profession back so far that we will be all but out of sight as far as our
international university accredited colleagues are concerned.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Maggs
5 | P a g e APPENDICES
Appendix A Letter dated 5th August 2010 from Iain Martin, Dean of the Faculty of
Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland to the Education
& Science Select Committee
Appendix B Remit to NZIMRT from the Charge MRTs of the Greater Auckland DHBs
Appendix C Minutes from Auckland branch NZIMRT AGM held on 26th August 2010
Appendix D Letter from first year Medical Imaging students to MRTB dated 13th
September 2010
Appendix E Letter from first year Medical Imaging students to Dr Rick Ede, the CEO of
Unitec dated 8th September 2010
Appendix F Submission to TEC entitled ‘Future of Medical Imaging Education October 2009’
Appendix G Submission to TEC entitled ‘Rationale for TEC’ – October 2009
Appendix H Report from MRTB to Unitec following 5 yearly surveillance visit
Appendix I
Notes prepared by Assoc. Professor Jill Yielder for meeting with Dr Rick
Ede, CEO Unitec and Wendy Horne, Dean of Faculty, supplied by Karen
Wills, Radiology Coordinator Waitakere Hospital (WDHB)
Appendix J Submission from the clinical managers from the three main Auckland
DHB’s
6 | P a g e Appendix A
Letter from Iain Martin, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The
University of Auckland to the Education & Science Select Committee.
5 August 2010
Allan Peachey
Chair, Education and Science Select Committee
C/O Committee Secretariat
10-11 Bowen House
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON
Dear Mr Peachey
Re
Petition 2008/89 of Wendy Roche
On behalf of The University of Auckland, we are responding to the issues raised in your
letter of 22nd July 2010 related to this petition.
The petition requests:
“That the House of Representatives note that 88 medical imaging students have signed
a petition requesting that the house inquire into the relocation of the Unitec medical
imaging degree-course from Mt Albert to Waitakere and support the transfer of the
course to the University of Auckland and that the House act upon these requests.”
1. Background
Much of modern health care is reliant upon high quality and increasingly complex
medical imaging. There are two key health professional groups that enable the delivery
of imaging services to the New Zealand population; medically qualified radiologists and
medical radiation technologists (radiographers).
Medical radiation technologists, the career that follows the qualifications under
consideration, work in private practices and in public hospital departments and include
the professions covered by the five gazetted full scopes of practice and the three
gazetted training scopes of practice, listed below:
 Diagnostic Imaging General Technologist
 Radiation Therapist
 Nuclear Medicine Technologist
 Sonographer
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
 Trainee Nuclear Medicine Technologist
 Trainee Sonographer
 Trainee Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
To practise as a medical radiation technologist in New Zealand you must be registered
with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board and hold a current annual
practising certificate.
7 | P a g e The Medical Radiation Technologists Board (the Board) is one of sixteen New Zealand
health registration authorities appointed by the Minister under the Health Practitioners
Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act). The Board is responsible for the
administration of the Act in regard to the profession of medical radiation technology.
The Board has prescribed qualifications required for registration in the profession of
medical radiation technology.
New Zealand educational institutions that offer these qualification programmes are
required to meet the Board's accreditation standards and undergo an on-going
monitoring process.
Currently there are four accredited educational providers:
 Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
 Unitec Institute of Technology
 Universal College of Learning
 University of Otago
The accredited qualifications offered by the four providers are as follows:
 Diagnostic Imaging General Technologist:
o Bachelor of Medical Imaging awarded by the Christchurch Polytechnic
Institute of Technology (CPIT).
o Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) awarded by the
Universal College of Learning (UCOL).
o Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) awarded by the Unitec Institute
of Technology.
 Radiation Therapist:
o Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Radiation Therapy) awarded by the
University of Otago.
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist:
o Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
awarded by the Unitec Institute of Technology.
 Sonographer:
o Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Ultrasound) awarded by the Unitec
Institute of Technology.
2. Undergraduate Medical Imaging Qualifications at Unitec
Unitec is a publically funded Institute of Technology, which according the to the
Education Act 1989 is an organization with the characteristics of a polytechnic, namely
a wide diversity of continuing education, including vocational training, that contributes
to the maintenance, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge and expertise and
promotes community learning, and by research, particularly applied and technological
research, that aids development.
The primary qualification offered by Unitec is the Bachelor of Health Science (Medical
Imaging). This qualification provides the theoretical and clinical knowledge to work as
a medical radiation technologist (MRT).
The programme is endorsed by the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation
Technology and recognised by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. The
qualification allows for registration in Australia, Singapore and the UK.
3. Postgraduate Medical Imaging Qualifications at Unitec
Unitec offers a suite of postgraduate qualifications in this area, a Certificate, Diploma
and Masters in Health Sciences (Medical Imaging). These qualifications allow for the
8 | P a g e development of advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of Clinical Management,
Computed Tomography, Conventional Medical Imaging, Education and Supervision,
Image Interpretation, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mammography and Ultrasound.
It is noteworthy that Unitec is the only accredited provider of postgraduate
qualifications in this area.
4. The University of Auckland Position
We are not in a position to comment upon the issues raised in the petition related to
teaching resources and infrastructure or issues related to the Waitakere relocation. We
will confine our comments to those related to the request of the petitioner to move this
suite of programmes from Unitec to The University of Auckland. We need first to
observe that Unitec and The University of Auckland are autonomous institutions under
the provisions of the Education Act 1989. The Government could therefore not
“transfer” the course from one institution to another. It could, through the Tertiary
Education Commission, decline to fund a course at one institution and agree to fund it
at another.
Should this occur, in the case being considered here, then the Faculty of Medical and
Health Sciences would be the constituent part of the University that would house the
staff and students associated with this suite of courses.
The Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences has more than 4000 students and 800 staff
engaged in a wide range of educational and research programmes focussed upon
biomedicine and health. We have undergraduate programmes in medicine, nursing,
pharmacy, health sciences and biomedical science together with a very wide range of
taught and research postgraduate courses. The main Campus is situated in Grafton,
opposite the Auckland City Hospital and is currently undergoing a $240 million
redevelopment. The School of Population Health is situated on the University’s Tamaki
Campus. In addition there are clinical teaching facilities in Auckland, Counties
Manukau, Waitemata, Waikato, Northland and Bay of Plenty DHB’s. The Faculty has
substantial expertise in medical imaging, in particular research related to magnetic
resonance imaging.
a. Undergraduate Programme
At face value, an undergraduate degree in medical radiation technology such as
that offered by Unitec could sit within either the University or polytechnic sector
and be consistent with both the Education Act and the Tertiary Education Strategy.
In Australia, eight tertiary providers offer qualifications at degree level or higher
in medical radiation technology. All eight are universities including two (Monash
and Sydney) in the leading Group of Eight research-intensive universities. Only
these latter two research-intensive Universities offer post-graduate qualifications.
In the UK 25 providers offer the equivalent degree level qualification, all of which
are universities. Of these, all but six are from the so-called “Post-92 group” of
former polytechnics, three are older universities and three are Russell Group
research-intensive universities.
One of the arguments that has been put forward is that the international norm for
such qualifications is that they are university degrees and therefore should not be
delivered in the polytechnic sector; clearly this the case in Australia and the UK. It
must however be recognised that the structure of the tertiary sector in both the
9 | P a g e UK and Australia is somewhat different to New Zealand in that neither have a
sector that would be identical to our polytechnics.
The University of Auckland therefore sees no absolute rationale for the moving of
the undergraduate programme from Unitec to The University of Auckland. We
would not be seeking to establish an undergraduate programme whilst Unitec
continues to offer a viable qualification. However, should Unitec either decide to
exit the delivery of this qualification or have funding for it withdrawn, The
University of Auckland would be keen to deliver an undergraduate programme.
Clearly, The University of Auckland could only do this if funding were allocated to
the institution and approvals for a new qualification granted. The earliest new
students could enrol would be semester 1, 2012.
We would also need to assurance that the level of funding provided was sufficient
to enable the provision of an accredited research-informed programme of
international standing.
Although we have not carried out any work in this area we would most likely offer
the undergraduate programme as a Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences with a
specialization in medical imaging.
b. Post Graduate Programmes
The University of Auckland, through the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences has
already started discussions with Unitec regarding the postgraduate programmes in
medical radiation technology. In principal, both organizations have agreed that
that there is a clear rationale for The University of Auckland offering the
postgraduate programmes. The area of study and the research and other
structures required fit well with those available within the Faculty of Medical and
Health Sciences. Further, there is a high level of strategic alignment with current
areas of research and postgraduate programmes.
This transition would require the following:
 The development and approval of a comparable suite of courses. We would use
the same structure as Unitec, namely a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and
Masters in Health Sciences with a specialization in medical imaging. The
development and approvals required dictate the earliest we could enrol students
in this new area would be semester 1, 2012.
 The transfer of the student funding currently allocate to Unitec for these
students to The University of Auckland. Within the current capped funding
environment, it would not be possible to develop these new programmes
without this security of additional funding. Further, we would want to be
assured that the funding levels are sufficient to deliver an accredited and
appropriately quality assured programme
Provided that both of these requirements can be met, it is our belief that these
postgraduate programmes can and probably should be transferred to The University of
Auckland. This approach would be in line with the position in Australia where the
postgraduate qualifications sit within large research-intensive Universities. Further, it is
consistent with the Tertiary Education Strategy approach that will concentrate
postgraduate study in the University sector.
In summary, The University of Auckland is working with Unitec to ensure the future
provision of postgraduate programmes in the field of medical radiation technology. We
10 | P a g e are committed to ensuring that, where appropriate, we support the health care sector
in the education of the next generation of health workforce. We would be very
concerned if there was a possibility that MRT provision was to be weakened in the
Auckland region and will work with Government through the TEC to ensure that this
does not happen.
We would be pleased to meet the Committee to discuss the petition and the matters it
raises.
Yours Sincerely
Iain Martin
Dean, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
11 | P a g e Appendix B
Remit to NZIMRT from the Charge MRTs of the Greater Auckland DHBs
Remit to NZIMRT
Proposal – that the NZIMRT review and explore the provision of post graduate education of MRTs and
actively pursue moving it out of the polytechnic sector and into the university sector with a report on this
remit to members by March 2011
Proposed by
Seconded by
Karen Wills
Beryl Kelly
Supported by the Charge MRTs of the Greater Auckland DHBs
Leigh Anderson
Kathryn Bush
Diana Browne
Elizabeth McKenzie
Summary :
The future needs of Medical Imaging in New Zealand will increasingly require postgraduate qualifications
ranging in scope from postgraduate certificates to doctorate level.
In comparable overseas countries Medical Imaging is taught within the university sector.
.
In New Zealand, all other health professions offer post graduate education in the university sector.
.
We believe that Medical Imaging post graduate education should take place in the university sector rather
than the polytechnic sector to ensure that New Zealand trained MRTs receive a qualification that will be
widely recognised and accepted both overseas and within the university sector here in New Zealand.
This will also ensure an ongoing body of research that pertains specifically to New Zealand working
practices, which can be shared throughout the industry to promote professional excellence.
12 | P a g e Supporting information to the remit:
Medical Imaging as a profession is increasingly expanding in its complexity of technology and practice. With
this have come increased education needs for Medical Radiation Technologists.
In the future Medical Imaging in New Zealand will increasingly require postgraduate qualifications ranging in
scope from postgraduate certificates to doctorate level. Post graduate education is now an established
requirement for the Medical Imaging Profession. Not only is it a mandatory requirement by the Medical
Radiation Technologist Board for MRTs working in the scopes of practice of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI), Ultrasonography and Nuclear Medicine but also it plays an essential part in role expansion –
mammography, computerised tomography (CT), image interpretation, clinical supervision, management, and
research.
In comparable overseas countries Medical Imaging post graduate education is taught within the university
sector. The only provider of post graduate Medical Imaging education in New Zealand is Unitec which has
the status of a polytechnic rather than a university. Polytechnic qualifications are not rated as comparable to
university standards and this may become increasingly detrimental to co-operation and collaboration between
institutions when considering research and educational opportunities and cross credits.
In New Zealand, all other health professions offer post graduate education in the university sector.
Radiotherapy moved to a university in 2001. For reason of status, it appears that a number of New Zealand
MRTs choose to carry out post graduate study through overseas universities especially in those work places
that have not made it mandatory for staff to study at Unitec. If MRTs rely on overseas programmes for
ongoing education, it will limit the pool of knowledge and expertise held by New Zealand medical imaging
educators. This will be detrimental to our profession.
The current government’s recently released Tertiary Education Strategy 2010 - 2015 identifies criteria that
clearly places post graduate education within the university sector (see appendix for details). Page 24 of this
document states; “Universities are primarily concerned with advanced learning and research. Polytechnics are
mainly focused on vocational training at certificate and diploma level and applied degrees.”
Polytechnics tend to be more constrained for resources and lack access to wet labs, pathology labs, imaging
equipment and inter faculty expertise and research to support post graduate medical imaging learning.
We believe that Medical Imaging post graduate education should be moved to the university sector. This will
ensure that New Zealand trained MRTs receive a qualification which will stand the rigor of academic scrutiny
and will be widely recognised and accepted both overseas and within the university sector here in New
Zealand. This will ensure that research that pertains specifically to New Zealand working practices is
developed and shared within the industry to promote professional excellence.
Appendix one
Tertiary Education Strategy 2010 – 2015
This paper outlining the future direction of tertiary education can be viewed on the Ministry of Education
website.
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/PolicyAndStrategy/TertiaryEducationStrategy.aspx
Below is an excerpt outlining the expectations of providers (Tertiary Education Strategy 2010 – 2015,
Section 3.1 page 18)
Universities
Universities have three core roles:
• to undertake research that adds to the store of knowledge
13 | P a g e • to provide a wide range of research-led degree and postgraduate education that is of an international
standard
• to act as sources of critical thinking and intellectual talent.
The Government expects universities to:
• enable a wide range of students to successfully complete degree and postgraduate qualifications
• undertake internationally recognized original research
• create and share new knowledge that contributes to New Zealand’s economic and social development, and
environmental management.
Polytechnics
Polytechnics have three core roles:
• to deliver vocational education that provides skills for employment
• to undertake applied research that supports vocational learning and technology transfer
• to assist progression to higher levels of learning or work through foundation education.
The Government expects polytechnics to:
• enable a wide range of students to complete industry-relevant certificate, diploma and applied degree
qualifications
• enable local access to appropriate tertiary education
• support students with low literacy, language and numeracy skills to improve these skills and progress to
higher levels of learning
• work with industry to ensure that vocational learning meets industry needs.
Page 24
Universities are primarily concerned with advanced learning and research. Polytechnics are mainly focused
on vocational training at certificate and diploma level and applied degrees.
14 | P a g e Appendix C
Minutes from Auckland branch NZIMRT AGM held on 26th August 2010
1
Auckland Branch NZIMRT AGM
26 August 2010
Marion Davis Library
Auckland City Hospital
Meeting started: 5.45pm
Members Present: Rob Lane, Karen Wills, Ann Butts, Hugh Finnemore, Brendawyn Leeves,
Tereza Austin, Courtney Walker, Linda Flay, Heather Gunn, Tishla Riley, Shirley Cappers, Janice
McCarthy, Bruce McCulloch, Kathryn Bush, Trish Winks, Jennifer Haven, Barbara Connaughton,
Melanie Slabbert, Elma Myburgh, Sheonagh Neilson, Jenny Painter, Glennis Young, Ruth Sharp,
Rachna Patel
Apologies: Christa Van Der Woerd, Amy West, Suzi Upton, Chris Robinson, Pam Aitken, Paul
Maggs, Jim Weston, Beryl Kelly, Maria Medwed, Sheree Jobson, Fiona Mahony
Previous minutes: Proposed: Rachna Patel
Seconded: Tereza Austin
Treasurers Report:
Glennis Young gave the treasurers report.
Proposed: Ruth Sharp
Seconded: Ann Butts
Election of officers:
Committee members
Chairperson: Heather Gunn
Vice Chairperson: Ruth Sharp
Secretary: Rachna Patel
Treasurer: Glennis Young
Members: Trish Winks, Pam Aitken, Bruce McCulloch, Jenny Painter, Tereza Austin
Heather to move into role of Chairperson.
Ruth Sharp to move into role of Vice Chairperson
Propose: Tishla Riley
Seconded: Trish Winks
Rest of existing members are happy to continue
Propose: Linda Flay
Seconded: Tishla Riley
Auckland Branch Representative to the Board of Management: Ruth Sharp
She is happy to continue
Propose: Heather Gunn
Seconded: Jennifer Haven
1.1 GENERAL BUSINESS:
CONFERENCE FUNDING ALLOCATION:
ISST CONFERENCE:
- Heather Gunn: She is also presenting a paper. Committee agreed to give her $500
- Jing Liu: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Renu Chand: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Marlon Capiral: Committee agreed to give him $300
- Judy Portman: Committee agreed to give her $300
15 | P a g e - Moira Donnelly: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Pauline Hext: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Cathy McManus: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Kathryn Bush: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Anne Sorensen: Committee agreed to give her $300
- Shanton D’cevz: Shanton only asked for $200 to cover transport. Committee agreed to give him
$200.
- Joy Bowler: Committee agreed to give her $300
SYMPOSIUM IN WELLINGTION:
- Tracey Pearce: She is presenting a paper. Committee agreed to give her $300
CPD REVIEW:
Nothing has come through to the committee to pass on. Reminder to members that they can email
any feedback or comments to cpd@nzimrt.co.nz
REMIT:
Karen Wills and Kathryn Bush spoke about the remit.
Proposal: That the NZIMRT review and explore the provision of post graduate education of MRT’s
and actively pursue moving it out of the polytechnic sector and into the university sector with a
report on this remit to members by March 2011
Linday Flay mentioned that it would be good as it would bring MRT’s together with RT’s. Post
Graduate studies would be the credit it deserves.
The remit will come out in the annual report
If you would like to support the remit but will not be in Wellington, members can proxy vote.
Ruth asked everyone at the meeting if the branch supported the remit
Everyone at the meeting supports the remit
WORLD RADIOGRAPHY DAY:
A study day is being organised for world radiography day. It will be on Saturday 6th November at
Alexander Park Race Course. The day will have an around the world theme.
CHAIRPERSON’S COMMENTS:
CPD:
As a result of member survey emphasis is to be on the provision of study days so will continue to
work with CPD Health and offer a subsidy to members
FUNDING:
Delighted with increase in number of applicants for conference funding and will continue to promote
this and ensure that funds will be available.
FUNDING FOR NORTHLAND MRTS:
The Branch recently helped with two events. The Northland MRT’s greatly appreciated the funding.
BRANCH PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AWARD:
Hope for more nominations that last year when nomination forms are sent to members towards the
end of the year.
BRANCH MEETINGS:
16 | P a g e Due to poor attendance despite having tried different venues and locations ie: Middlemore Hospital,
ARO, North Shore Hospital and Auckland Hospital. Branch meetings are going to be attached to
study days, thus ensuring a captive audience.
The last branch meeting was attached on the last Paediatric study day. It was a spur of the moment
idea which we added onto the study morning. We apoligise if we inconvenienced any members
MEMBER CONTACT DETAILS:
Please ensure that we have your correct mailing and email address so that you can receive all
branch correspondence. Contact Rachna at akbrsecretary@gmail.com
AGM FLYER:
We received a few emails about members wondering why they where emailed the flyer and also
posted a flyer. Unfortunately it is something we have to do for the AGM. Members will only be
informed like this only once a year.
Meeting closed: 6.15 pm
Talk given by:
Peppe Sasso – IMRT – Intenstiy Modulated Radiation Therapy
17 | P a g e Appendix D
Letter from first year Medical Imaging students to MRTB dated 13th September 2010
Medical Radiation Technology Board
P.O.Box 11-905
Wellington 6142
13 September 2010
Dear Board Members,
We, the first year Bachelor of Health Science Medical Imaging students are writing to voice our concerns
regarding the programme currently running at the Unitec Waitakere campus.
Our major concerns centre on the insufficient provision of core learning resources by Unitec for the
programme, including a lack of teaching staff and the general failings of the Waitakere campus to meet basic
student’s needs.
Our first concern is the number of lectures being cancelled due to classroom unavailability and lecturer
attrition. During the first semester booking clashes were a common occurrence and resulted in the loss of
class time while the problem has improved over the second semester, student numbers will swell next year
with all three years of Medical Imaging students on the campus. Given Waitakere’s track record and the
limited number of classrooms able to accommodate 42 students, we anticipate further disruptions for those
who choose to continue in the programme.
Classes have also been cancelled as a result of ongoing lecturer absences during both semesters due to “sick”
leave. These absences have on occasion been due to unforeseen illnesses however the majority are believed to
be work stress related. On occasions other staff members have stepped in at short notice to attempt to fill the
breach and whilst we appreciate the effort, this has meant we have been lectured by staff in areas outside their
expertise.
Lecturer absences and class cancellations are disruptive, hinder our learning and are extremely unsettling.
These feelings have been compounded by the recent resignation and departure of our Radiographic Imaging
lecturer, a very highly student rated Unitec lecturer (currently the highest rated lecturer of 2010).
We are currently without a Radiographic Imaging lecturer and both our primary and substitute Imaging
Science lecturers absent. From the 6th of September we have only had two lecturers in attendance. Fourteen
hours of lectures have been cancelled thus far and we can only assume more are to follow.
Whilst we accept that in any work place there will inevitably be illnesses and staff turn over, the number of
long-term senior staff members requiring leave or resigning from the program is raising serious concerns
amongst the student body. We have raised this concern with the head of the Medical Imaging Department
who failed to provide a satisfactory or reassuring answer.
Our second concern is that as Unitec students are expected to learn and gain competence in a very hands on
profession when there is little for us to actually put our hands on. With the exception of our anatomy paper
and clinical placements our learning is entirely lecture based. We must rely on two-dimensional images,
dilapidated skeletons and a very limited number of regional models (two shoulder models for a class of forty
students last week). The model resource room is tiny and shared with Osteopathy students; it is often over
crowded, meaning students do not get adequate access to models. We were informed on the 13th of September
that the model room will be relocated and that new models are on the way.
During a recent Anatomy and Physiology lab, two rats were provided for the class to observe being dissected,
meaning roughly twenty students had to crowd around each rat.
There is one Radiographic dummy provided, but it is essentially useless, as we do not have facilities with
which to x-ray her. This contrasts greatly with the Medical Imaging programmes provided by UCOL and
CPIT, both of which provide a Radiographic Simulation Unit. A Simulation Unit allows students to put theory
into practice, to learn and experiment with radiographic techniques in a way not ethical in a clinical setting.
As Unitec students we must make our formative steps into radiography using human guinea pigs; a situation
that is less than ideal.
18 | P a g e Our third concern is the Waitakere campus. The campus is proving to be a substandard learning environment,
providing limited student services and resources.
The campus claims a “state of the art” library. The library is shared with the general public; there is only a
small area on the top floor for the exclusive use of Unitec students. The library fills with school children in
the afternoon; their presence is disruptive and reduces the number of study spaces available. There is only one
study room available in the library where students can participate in group learning. Library hours are
restricted; 8am-8pm Monday to Thursday, 8am-5pm Fridays and 10am-4pm weekends. This severely
disadvantages students unable to use the facility during these hours due to childcare or employment
constraints.
The number of relevant texts is limited, making the library a poor source of information when researching
assignments. Several students have resorted to using alternative library facilities from an institution providing
numerous excellent texts without even having a Medical Imaging programme.
There are a limited number of classrooms capable of accommodating a class of forty students, and failings in
the booking system have been previously alluded to. The classrooms we have been assigned are poorly
designed, only allowing obstructed views of the projection screen in some positions, making it difficult for
students to take notes and follow lectures. In these rooms there is insufficient seating space for students to
move to positions where their view is unobstructed. In room 510-3011, for example, alterations were
eventually made but the changes made have merely shifted the blind spot from one side of the room to the
other and reducing usable whiteboard space.
The Unitec website claims the campus “student lunch area offers plenty of space to eat and socialise”. Despite
the placement of additional seating in thoroughfares, the campus still lacks sufficient suitable indoor areas for
students to eat and socialise during the lunch break. The student kitchen is overcrowded at lunchtimes, with
long queues to use the two microwaves. Student lockers located in the kitchen are difficult to access due to
these queues. The kitchen cleaning facilities are inadequate making it difficult for students to clean up any
spills making the environment unpleasant and unhygienic.
The campus lacks a bookshop, canteen and the full range of support facilities and social events provided by
the Mt Albert Campus. Whilst a shuttle service exists between the two campuses, at times it is full and
students are left to wait between 30-60 minutes for the next shuttle. The shuttle also fails to cater for students
with 8.30 am lectures; the early shuttle arrives at Waitakere at 7.50 am and the following at 8.50 am.
Our concerns have been raised with the head of department on numerous occasions, and as yet only token
gestures have been made, such as the addition of less than a dozen relevant texts to the library. There seems to
be a total lack of acceptance or belief that the absence of lecturing staff is having a negative affect on our
learning. We are assured that course content will be covered, but this seems increasingly unlikely as we get
further behind and the end of the semester draws nearer.
We have serious doubts about the ability of Unitec to deliver a satisfactory Medical Imaging programme. This
has lead to several first and second year students contacting UCOL and CPIT to discuss the option of
completing their degree elsewhere. The MRTB will also be aware of the two petitions sent to Parliament.
Students had the opportunity to voice their concerns to members of the MRTB at the Waitakere campus on
the 25th of March; we are aware that the board produced a list of recommendations for Unitec. Unitec has not
made this report available to us; we would greatly appreciate access to this prior to your next visit.
The situation has deteriorated since March and would implore you to bring your next visit forward, as
November is exam time, making it difficult for students to attend and raise their concerns.
Yours sincerely,
First year Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) Students.
19 | P a g e Appendix E
Letter from first year Medical Imaging students to Dr Rick Ede, the CEO of Unitec,
dated 8th September 2010
Dr Rick Ede
CEO Unitec
Unitec New Zealand
Carrington Rd, Mt Albert
Private Bag 92025
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142
New Zealand
8 September 2010
Dear Dr Ede
We, the undersigned first year Bachelor of Health Science Medical Imaging students are writing to voice our
concerns regarding the programme currently running at the Unitec Waitakere campus.
Our major concerns centre on the insufficient provision of core learning resources by Unitec for the
programme, including a lack of teaching staff and the general failings of the Waitakere campus to meet basic
student’s needs.
Our first concern is the number of lectures being cancelled due to classroom unavailability and lecturer
attrition. During the first semester booking clashes were a common occurrence and resulted in the loss of
class time while the problem has improved over the second semester, student numbers will swell next year
with all three years of Medical Imaging students on the campus. Given Waitakere’s track record and the
limited number of classrooms able to accommodate 42 students, we anticipate further disruptions for those
who choose to continue in the programme.
Classes have also been cancelled as a result of ongoing lecturer absences due to stress leave during both
semesters. On occasions other staff members have stepped in at short notice to attempt to fill the breach and
whilst we appreciate the effort, this has meant we have been lectured by staff in areas outside their expertise.
Lecturer absences are disruptive, hinder our learning and are extremely unsettling. These feelings have been
compounded by the recent resignation and departure of our Radiographic Imaging lecturer, a very highly
student rated Unitec lecturer for many years (currently the highest rated lecturer of 2010).
We are currently without a Radiographic Imaging lecturer and both our primary and substitute Imaging
Science lecturers are on stress leave. This week (6-10 September) we only have two lecturers in attendance
and seven hours of lectures have been cancelled thus far.
Whilst we accept that in any work place there will inevitably be illnesses and staff turn over, the number of
long-term senior staff members requiring stress leave or resigning from the program is raising serious
concerns amongst the student body. We raised this concern with the department head Dr Whalley and were
told that it was no secret some of the staff are unhappy and that losing people is all part of the process.
We don’t feel that this was a reassuring or satisfactory answer. What, if anything, is Unitec doing to
investigate and rectify the problem of staff dissatisfaction and stem the tide of departures? This is not an
extramural program, we have paid for these lectures and the loss of learning time and our financial investment
cannot be recouped.
Our second concern is that BHS(MI) students at Unitec are expected to learn and gain competence in a very
hands on profession when there is little for us to actually put our hands on. With the exception of our anatomy
paper and clinical placements our learning is entirely lecture based. We must rely on two-dimensional images,
dilapidated skeletons and a very limited number of regional models (two shoulder models for a class of forty
students last week). The model resource room is shared with Osteopathy students and is often over crowded,
meaning students do not get adequate access to models.
20 | P a g e During this week’s Anatomy and Physiology lab, two rats were provided for the class to observe being
dissected, meaning roughly twenty students had to crowd around each rat.
There is one Radiographic dummy provided, but it is essentially useless as we do not have the facilities with
which to x-ray her. This contrasts greatly with the Medical Imaging programs provided by UCOL and CPIT,
both of which provide a Radiographic Simulation Unit. A Simulation Unit allows students to put theory into
practice, to learn and experiment with radiographic techniques in a way not ethical in a clinical setting. As
Unitec students we must make our formative steps into radiography using human guinea pigs; a situation that
is less than ideal.
Our third concern is the Waitakere campus. The campus is proving to be a substandard learning environment,
providing limited student services and resources.
The campus “state of the art” library is shared with the general public; there is only a small area on the top
floor for the exclusive use of Unitec students. The library fills with school children in the afternoon; their
presence is distruptive and reduces the number of study spaces available. There is only one study room
available in the library where students can participate in group learning. Library hours are restricted; 8am8pm Monday to Thursday, 8am-5pm Fridays and 10am-4pm weekends. This severely disadvantages students
unable to use the facility during these hours due to childcare or employment constraints.
The number of relevant texts is limited, making the library a poor source of information when researching
assignments. Several students have resorted to using the Philson library at Auckland University; this
institution provides excellent texts without even having a Medical Imaging programme.
There are a limited number of classrooms capable of accommodating a medical imaging class of forty
students, and failings in the booking system have been previously alluded to. The classrooms themselves are
poorly designed, only allowing obstructed views of the projection screen in some positions, making it difficult
for students to take notes and follow lectures. In these rooms there is insufficient seating space for students to
move to positions where their view is unobstructed. In room 510-3011, for example, alterations were made
this week but the changes made have involved merely shifting the blind spot from one side of the room to the
other and reducing usable whiteboard space.
The Unitec websites claims the campus “student lunch area offers plenty of space to eat and socialise”.
Despite the placement of additional seating in thoroughfares, the campus still lacks sufficient suitable indoor
areas for students to eat and socialise during the lunch break. The student kitchen is overcrowded at
lunchtimes, with long queues to use the two microwaves. Student lockers located in the kitchen are difficult to
access due to these queues. The kitchen cleaning facilities are inadequate making it difficult for students to
clean up any spills making the environment unpleasant and unhygienic.
The campus lacks a bookshop, canteen and the full range of support facilities and social events provided by
the Mt Albert Campus. Whilst a shuttle service exists between the two campuses, at times it is full and
students are left to wait between 30-60 minutes for the next shuttle. The shuttle also fails to cater for students
with 8.30 am lectures; the early shuttle arrives at Waitakere at 7.50 am and the following at 8.50 am.
Students voiced their concerns at the MRTB meeting on the 25th of March; the MRTB came back with a list
of recommendations for Unitec to which we have not yet been party, our queries have been avoided by
management who state the report was full of inaccuracies. A follow up MRTB visit is scheduled for
November and students should have the right to be made aware of their recommendations and Unitec’s
actions, prior to this visit.
We feel our concerns are not taken seriously but merely downplayed. Our concerns were raised with the head
of department Dr Whalley on Monday 6th September and on numerous other occasions, and as yet only token
gestures have been made, such as the addition of less than a dozen relevant texts to the library and the offer of
Anatomy and Physiology tutorials in place of the cancelled Radiographic Imaging and Imaging Science
lectures. There seems to be a total lack of acceptance or belief that the absence of lecturing staff is having a
negative affect on our learning. We were assured that course content will be covered, but this seems
increasingly unlikely as we get further behind and the end of the semester draws nearer. We will be placed
under additional pressure, as once again assessment dates are pushed back closer to exams.
We have serious doubts about the ability of this programme to continue at Unitec. As you will be aware,
petitions have been sent to Parliament, the first signed by 88 Medical Imaging students requesting an enquiry
into the relocation of the Medical Imaging course to Waitakere and possibility of having the course moved to
21 | P a g e Auckland University. The second signed by 160 Medical Radiation Technologists to explore the advisability
of moving our education to the university sector. Also, several first and second year students have made
contact with UCOL and CPIT to discuss the option of completing their degree at one of these facilities.
Letters outlining student concerns are also being sent to the MRTB and Tertiary Minister Steven Joyce.
As CEO of Unitec we wish to know if you are aware of the problems being experienced by students and staff
within this program, if not why and most importantly, your plans to investigate and attempt to resolve these
issues.
Yours truly
22 | P a g e Appendix F
Submission to TEC entitled ‘Future of Medical Imaging Education - October 2009’
FUTURE OF MEDICAL IMAGING EDUCATION
October 2009
Executive Summary
The Profession
Medical Imaging (MI) is the fastest evolving health profession, with accelerating role development
and registration requirements at a postgraduate level in an increasing array of MI specialisations.
There is an ongoing shortage of qualified medical imaging staff in New Zealand.
The Providers
There are three providers of MI in New Zealand: Unitec, UCOL and CPIT.
Unitec is the largest and longest-established provider and the only postgraduate provider in New
Zealand. It has highly qualified academic staff (all to postgraduate level).
The Issues
1. As technological developments in MI accelerate, Unitec is unable to provide the high cost
specialist equipment essential for student learning.
2. The polytechnic sector and Unitec in particular can no longer support the full range of MI
education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. In particular:
a. The potential exclusion of polytechnics from the PBRF would make it very difficult
for Unitec to fund the research needed to support both undergraduate and
postgraduate degrees.
b. The new Tertiary Education Strategy indicates a more pronounced distinction
between polytechnics and universities, with no indication that postgraduate growth
will be supported in polytechnics in the future.
3. It is becoming close to impossible to recruit appropriately qualified MI staff to teach in the
polytechnic environment. Throughout the western world, MI is taught in the university
sector, and MI is the only health profession in New Zealand not taught in a university.
4. Unitec’s decision to move the MI programmes to its Waitakere campus has exacerbated the
serious concerns held by clinical providers, the profession and teaching staff.
The Solution
To provide a long term solution to the ongoing development of the MI profession, it is proposed that
MI education be relocated from Unitec to the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the
University of Auckland.
Background
Medical imaging is the fastest growing health profession, and provides a crucial role in
health provision. It is also evolving exponentially as new technology advances become
adopted into professional practice at the postgraduate level and practitioners extend their
professional roles through postgraduate qualifications. Alongside this development the
profession is suffering from chronic recruitment and retention issues and is struggling to
maintain the numbers of students graduating in both under and postgraduate programmes.
Unitec, UCOL and CPIT are the providers for undergraduate degrees required for
registration in conventional medical imaging. Unitec is the only provider of postgraduate
education, which is required for registration in ultrasound and MRI. Postgraduate
education will increasingly be needed with the current development of an Advanced
23 | P a g e Practitioner level of career progression that will require a minimum of a masters degree
and potentially the development of a professional doctorate.
The medical imaging profession is at a transition point. Twenty years ago a transition
occurred from what was a practice-based, apprenticeship style occupation, with a diploma
programme previously offered in hospitals moving into the tertiary education sector. The
profession has since developed very rapidly on the back of technological advances, the
proliferation of medical imaging services and more recent role development, which has
created a genuine profession that needs its own knowledge base. In addition, with the
growth of specialty areas such as MRI and ultrasound, this knowledge base has been
extended into postgraduate education and the increasing need for research.
Unitec
Unitec’s undergraduate degree and postgraduate diploma qualifications are the
benchmark qualifications for registration in New Zealand.
Unitec has the most
experienced and highly qualified staff in New Zealand, with the academic staff holding a
minimum of a masters degree and a healthy research portfolio to support the postgraduate
programmes. Students applying for the undergraduate medical imaging programme are of
very high calibre, with many already holding a health science degree from the university
sector. Unitec has served the profession very well for many years, however medical
imaging as a profession has reached another key transition point. Postgraduate
requirements, in particular, have now outgrown the polytechnic environment and are at a
critical point, needing supported change in the university sector.
Unitec was previously seeking university of technology status, which may have supported
the ongoing development of the medical imaging programmes. However, this failed and
there appears to be a current move towards two more discrete sectors, a move that is
supported by the recently released draft Tertiary Education Strategy. The polytechnic
sector doesn’t adequately support postgraduate programmes. For example, there is
already a funding differential based on the supposition that polytechnics are less involved
in research than universities, and the possible removal of polytechnics from the PBRF will
deny further research funding which is needed to support the masters programme, and to
maintain staff research portfolios. Research however is seen as being of prime importance
to grow medical imaging knowledge and the profession. It is vital that the development of
a strong research environment is maintained. We note that medical imaging education
elsewhere in the Western world is located in the university sector. In addition, education
for all the other health professions is offered within the university sector, which opens
opportunities for students who wish to pursue postgraduate study.
Unitec is the only postgraduate provider for medical imaging in New Zealand and even if it
continues to be willing, cannot provide a university environment. It cannot provide high
cost equipment (in contrast, for example, to the University of Auckland which already has
an fMRI scanner for research purposes and is installing other advanced modalities) and
neither can it provide the university title needed for the international credibility of
postgraduate study. While Unitec’s postgraduate programmes are of very high quality and
have been tailored to meet the needs of the profession in New Zealand, there has been a
noticeable change in attitude of career focused MI practitioners over recent years looking
for the university title. With the availability of distance learning in Australian universitybased programmes, the viability of New Zealand-based programmes is threatened and the
growth of the knowledge base of the profession is taken away from New Zealand.
24 | P a g e The situation at Unitec has recently been tipped to a crisis point with the medical imaging
programmes being relocated to West Auckland (Henderson) for the beginning of 2010.
This is a sudden change that was not open for consultation. Medical imaging is not locally
based in the West (unlike Unitec’s nursing programme), instead it has a national focus,
particularly for postgraduate programmes, for which it provides educational opportunities
for the whole country. Students are extremely unhappy with the relocation, with many
indicating they will not be able to continue in the programmes due to practicalities mainly
relating to travel. There will also be a loss of staff members with the move. It has become
increasingly difficult to recruit high quality, experienced teaching staff, with long term staff
shortages being reported over the last two years even without the move.
These factors are of great professional concern, as there is a real risk that New Zealand’s
most established medical imaging education programmes could collapse, resulting in
major workforce issues for the country, given that Unitec educates 40-44 students in each
year of the undergraduate programme and currently has around 90 postgraduate students.
Clinical providers, the NZIMRT and medical imaging staff at Unitec have identified the
move, and other factors, as a major risk through the Advisory Committee and through
direct delegation to the Chief Executive and Dean of Faculty (see appended meeting
notes), however staff have been advised that the relocation decision is not negotiable and
that the programmes do not need the university title.
UCOL and CPIT
Neither of these institutions is in a position to take over Unitec’s Medical Imaging provision.
They have their own difficulties in attracting staff, particularly for programme leadership.
Neither team has sufficient research background, supervision experience or appropriate
postgraduate qualifications to undertake postgraduate provision.
Further, Greater
Auckland is the largest centre of medical imaging practice in New Zealand, across all
modalities, and therefore needs to retain the education of these professionals.
We are therefore seeking a proactive move that will support the growth of the medical
imaging profession into the future. If nothing is done until the programmes begin to
decline, decisions will be reactive and the profession will suffer.
Proposal
The profession is seeking TEC support to move funding for Unitec’s medical imaging
programmes to the university sector where the postgraduate programmes in particular will
be better supported and be able to be further developed to support extended Scopes of
Practice in Diagnostic Imaging. The under and postgraduate programmes need to remain
together for progression and to maximise staff expertise. This intention is supported by
the clinical departments that provide placements for Unitec students. We note that
Radiation Therapy, the other branch of the Medical Radiation Technology profession, even
although only offering an undergraduate programme, is already located in the University
sector, through the University of Otago Clinical School in Wellington.
This proposal would align with the draft Tertiary Education Strategy (2010-2015), which
profiles the university sector for degree and postgraduate programmes, while polytechnics
have a profile predominantly focusing on certificate and diploma programmes. While it is
assumed that degree level study would still be acceptable in the polytechnic environment,
the strategy certainly appears to be indicating that the medical imaging profile of under and
25 | P a g e postgraduate programmes (extending to a professional doctorate in the future) would be
best located in the university sector, particularly given the increasing need for research to
support the knowledge base in such a rapidly developing health profession.
The University of Auckland has expressed strong interest in offering medical imaging
programmes from their Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
 There are clear synergies with radiologist education, taught in the faculty.
Radiologists and radiographers form the essential team in a radiology department.
 Specialist radiology equipment is already on site (fMRI scanner, ultrasound
equipment). The cost of this equipment is prohibitive and beyond the reach of any
other tertiary institution.
 The UoA is investing in further state-of-the-art equipment, such as PET CT, which
would mean that New Zealand could re-investigate the education of nuclear
medicine professionals, which used to be taught in conjunction with medical
imaging, but at present has to be taught in Australia.
 The Philson medical library has radiology resources not able to be replicated in the
polytechnic sector.
 There are excellent wet-labs and pathology museum resources, from which Unitec
currently has to ‘hire’ time for both under and postgraduate students.
 There is close proximity to the largest clinical placement, ADHB.
 Shared teaching:
1. The benefit of having radiology registrars teaching specialist
postgraduate lectures on-site – this need will increase as the profession
moves into Advanced Practice roles within the masters programme.
2. Medical imaging staff teaching new radiology registrars radiation physics
and radiation protection as occurred in the past when located in the School
of Radiography on the Auckland Hospital site.
 The ability to grow the medical imaging profession into the future, with appropriate
support for under and postgraduate programmes, further development of specialty
pathways and the development of a professional doctorate or PhD.
Conclusion
We are asking the Tertiary Education Commission to transfer the funding for the Unitec
Medical Imaging programmes to the University of Auckland on the grounds that the
profession has grown so dramatically in the past decade that the profile for the polytechnic
sector is no longer able to support lifelong education for the medical imaging professional
and will not be able to support advances needed into the future.
It is essential that a pro-active decision is made in the best interests of the ongoing
development of the profession.
26 | P a g e Appendix G
Submission to TEC entitled ‘Rationale for TEC’ – October 2009
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION FOR THE MEDICAL IMAGING PROFESSION IN NEW ZEALAND
The Profession
Medical Imaging (MI) is one of the fastest evolving health professions, with accelerating role
development and registration requirements at a postgraduate level in an increasing array of MI
specialisations. There is an ongoing shortage of qualified medical imaging staff in New Zealand.
Medical Imaging education in New Zealand, leading to a diploma qualification, was provided by
hospitals until the early 1990s, when it was moved to Unitec to become part of the formal tertiary
education sector. Unitec began offering the Diploma in 1991. This qualification upgraded to a
bachelor degree in 1994, to reflect the development of the profession. Further development took
place in the late 1990s with the introduction of postgraduate programmes.
In recent years, and especially since the passage of the HPCA Act (2003), changes to the
profession have been very significant, with postgraduate qualifications required for an increasing
number of MI specialisations, increasing CPD requirements for the profession at a postgraduate
level, and major role development within the profession leading to the establishment of advanced
practitioners. Inevitably, the profession will be seeking a doctoral qualification to support this
development.
The Providers
There are now three providers of MI education in New Zealand: Unitec, UCOL and CPIT.
Unitec is the largest and longest-established provider and the only postgraduate provider in New
Zealand. It has highly qualified academic staff (all to postgraduate level).
The Issues
1. As technological developments in MI accelerate, Unitec is unable to provide the high cost
specialist equipment essential for student learning, especially for the registration
requirements for specialisations at a postgraduate level.
2. The polytechnic sector, and Unitec specifically, can no longer support the full range of MI
education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. In particular:
a. The research environment at Unitec is becoming increasingly problematic in terms
of funding, time and facilities, at a time when the MI profession is becoming more
and more reliant upon research to support its development. The potential exclusion
of polytechnics from the PBRF would make it very difficult for Unitec to fund and
supervise the research needed to support both undergraduate and postgraduate
degrees through to doctoral level.
b. The draft Tertiary Education Strategy indicates a more pronounced distinction
between polytechnics and universities, with no indication that postgraduate growth
(to doctoral level) will be supported in polytechnics in the future.
3. It is becoming close to impossible to recruit appropriately qualified and experienced MI staff
to teach in the polytechnic environment. Throughout the western world, MI is taught in the
university sector, and MI (with osteopathy) is the only health profession in New Zealand not
taught in a university.
27 | P a g e 4. Unitec’s decision to move the MI programmes to its Waitakere campus has exacerbated the
serious concerns held by the profession and teaching staff about the ongoing viability of MI
education at Unitec.
Terminology within the Medical Imaging profession can be confusing to those outside the
profession. The following terms and abbreviations are in common use and are used in this report:
Medical Radiation Technology (MRT)
The profession that utilises radiation for diagnostic and
therapeutic purposes. Consists of two fields: Medical
Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Medical Imaging (MI)
The diagnostic field of MRT, which uses radiation,
sound and other electromagnetic waves to image
anatomy and pathology in the human body. Also
being used increasingly for surgical treatment via
interventional radiology
Radiation Therapy (RT)
The use of high energy radiation for the treatment of
cancer
Computed Tomography (CT)
The use of specialised equipment utilising x-rays to
obtain cross-sectional images of the body
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
The use of specialised equipment utilising
radiofrequencies within a magnetic field to produce an
image of anatomy or pathology
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
The measurement of body functions using
radionuclides. Increasingly used in conjunction with
CT or MRI.
Requires a cyclotron to generate
positrons.
Ultrasound/Sonography
The use of high frequency sound waves to produce an
image of anatomy or pathology
Nuclear Medicine
The use of radionuclides to produce an image of
anatomy or pathology
Mammography
The use of specialised equipment using x-rays to
obtain images of the breast.
28 | P a g e The following Table sets out the core requirements to meet the ongoing education needs of the Medical Imaging profession. These requirements
reflect the major changes currently unfolding within the profession, and indicate that complementary change is needed in pre-registration
education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Options to meet these current and future needs are provided in the final column
Requirements
1.
1.1
Current Situation
Options
To meet the pre-registration standards required for conventional medical imaging: the undergraduate degree
Regular, convenient and
ongoing access to
conventional MI equipment in
proximity to the teaching
environment to support UG
education, including
 Conventional x-ray facility
Currently proposed at Unitec. One room
has been made available for either a
practice room or a viewing facility, but not
both.
Available budget is limited but should
become actualised over a 3 year period.
1. Unitec to access additional development funding to
establish equipment and space necessary by end of 2011.
X-ray facility $500,000+
2. Unitec to hire facilities locally. WDHB is the local health
provider but facilities are not available for use at Waitakere
Hospital until after 7 p.m. and not until after 4 p.m. at North
Shore Hospital.
Relationship is being built with WDHB.
 Simulation software
 Image viewing facilities
1.2
Accessibility for students to
clinical placements
Note current simulation centre facilities for
nursing students at Waitakere Hospital
are not available for MI students
With the relocation of the Unitec
programmes to the Waitakere campus,
there is proximity only to Waitakere
Hospital (WDHB) – 6 UG clinical
placements on rotation from North Shore
Hospital.
3. Relocate to the UoA, which has access to ADHB by
arrangement from 4pm at nominal cost.
1. With the confirmation of the programme shift to Waitakere,
there is little Unitec can do to change this.
2. Relocate to the UoA which has direct proximity to the
largest clinical placement (ADHB) – 48 UG clinical
placements and good transport links to the other
placements.
Poor location for Greater Auckland
access, eg South Auckland.
Current students, staff and CMDHB raised
this as a serious issue before the
relocation was confirmed.
29 | P a g e 1.3
2.
2.1
Accessibility for students to
education provider
With the relocation of the Unitec
programme to the Waitakere campus it is
more difficult for students to access formal
classes from all parts of greater Auckland
and beyond.
1. With the confirmation of the programme shift to Waitakere,
there is little Unitec can do to change this.
2. Relocate to a central city location with good public
transport access from all directions of greater Auckland,
and NZ more broadly for national PG students.
To meet the pre-registration standards required for specialist areas such as MRI, Ultrasound and mammography: postgraduate
High level equipment and
facilities to support PG MI
education in specialist areas
which are now taught at PG
level for registration
purposes, as a consequence
of the HPCA Act, (2003) and
subsequent (and growing)
development of separate
Scopes of Practice such as
 MRI
 Ultrasound
 Mammography
 CT
None available at Unitec. Student access
limited to existing workplace facilities.
1. Unitec to purchase equipment and space
U/S Machine $210,000; $4-500,000 for 4-D
MRI Scanner $2-3 million
CT Scanner $1.5-2 million
PET $4-5 million
Mammography Machine $650,000 ($10,000 per month on
lease)
2. Unitec to hire facilities from a health provider (note,
Waitakere Hospital does not have all these facilities and
has indicated that those they have are not available for
teaching purposes).
MRI $600 per hour, out of hours only, UoA or Private Clinic
CT/U/S $300 per hour, out of hours only, Private Clinic
3. Relocate to the Medical School at UoA which already has
MRI and is in the process of installing PET CT and 4-D
Ultrasound.
 Advanced Practice
This is becoming a critical
issue as the scopes of
practice extend and
technological change
accelerates.
30 | P a g e 2.2
2.3
Specialist support from
radiologists and other
specialists for the
development of new
Advanced Scopes of
Practice, particularly areas
such as image interpretation
Access to a wide range of
specialist radiology and
medical literature, and digital
images for PG students and
staff
None available at Unitec. Every year
radiologists are invited to participate in the
PG programme at Unitec within a very
tight budget. Currently, only two
radiologists are willing to provide guest
lectures for MRI on a limited basis.
1. Unitec to pay higher guest lecturer rates, although time
and location have been major issues in the past, even
while PG was located on the Mt Albert campus. It will
undoubtedly be harder to attract them to Waitakere.
Radiologists generally show little interest
in supporting MI at Unitec.
2. Relocate to the Medical School at UoA which has
radiologists on staff, plus radiologists at Auckland City and
Starship Hospitals immediately opposite.
Limited musculo-skeletal resources
available currently at Unitec
1. Limited access was previously negotiated for Unitec MRI
students through the UoA, however this was discontinued
as the cost was perceived to be too great for the school
budget.
In 2005 the cost was $90 per student for one semester
2. Relocate to the UoA which already has these facilities at
the Philson Library
3. To meet the ongoing requirements for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical imaging
3.1
3.2
Access to wetlab, pathology
and radiology museum
facilities for UG and PG to
support cross-sectional
anatomy and pathology
education
Capacity to attract and retain
high quality staff
None available at Unitec.
For the last two years Unitec has paid for
hireage of time at the UoA Medical
School. This has been difficult to
negotiate due to budget constraints and
timetabling. There is currently no access
to the radiology museum.
Recruitment of high quality, experienced
and appropriately qualified staff is
extremely difficult at Unitec due to low
1. Hireage of time at the UoA Medical School
$20 per student, per session, Fridays only
This resource could never be replicated by Unitec
2. Relocate to the UoA which already has these facilities
1. Unitec to provide higher salaries for staff
2. Unitec to negotiate joint badging of UG and PG
31 | P a g e salaries and, for recruiting from overseas,
the perception that moving to a
polytechnic is a backward career move.
This has been exemplified by the recent
appointment of a non-MRT as HOD
Medical Imaging in spite of concerns
expressed by the MI staff, and MRTB
monitoring requirements for MI
leadership.
qualifications with a reputable university
3. Relocate to a university, which generally offer higher
salaries and better conditions, and status.
Retention is becoming problematic with
several experienced staff leaving in the
past 2 years due to poor salaries and
better conditions elsewhere.
This is going to be a very critical issue for
Unitec
3.3
Research opportunities and
standing
Staff are concerned that Unitec, as a
polytechnic, will not be able to continue to
support the research needed to sustain
MI, especially at the PG level, and the
potential for polytechnics to no longer be
part of the PBRF rating system, as this
would be detrimental to their academic
careers.
MI is taught in the university sector
overseas and it has proved difficult to
establish research collaborations with
some universities due to their perceptions
of Unitec as a polytechnic.
1. Unitec to negotiate joint appointments with a university to
provide access to PBRF assessment if polytechnics are not
part of this form of research rating in the future.
2. Negotiate joint badging of UG and PG qualifications with a
reputable university, plus external research supervision in
specialty areas.
3. Relocate to UoA, which has an excellent reputation for
research internationally and the resources/facilities to
support MI research and opportunities for wider
collaboration (eg. psychology and MRI). UoA has extensive
staff with supervision expertise and content knowledge
across specialty areas
It is difficult to obtain high end research
funds from within a polytechnic.
32 | P a g e Unitec doesn’t have the facilities for high
end technologically-based research, or
adequate research supervision in
specialty areas.
3.4
Ability to attract, retain and
meet the ongoing needs of
high quality students;
Ability to provide education
pathways for graduates
Unitec currently attracts a high number of
applicants, a good proportion of high
quality, eg, those who have completed
health science through UoA or AUT.
However many express concern about
lack of university title and problems
articulating with other university options
on graduation, e.g. those who wish to
pursue medical education, or a PG
qualification outside the specific MI ones
offered at Unitec to support their career
advancement. There are many examples
where graduates have been told that their
polytechnic degree is not eligible for
cross-credits or degree recognition.
1. Unitec to negotiate joint badging of UG and PG
qualifications with a reputable university
2. Pursue a relationship with a reputable university for the
provision of a PhD or professional doctorate programme
3. Relocate to an institution which already has the university
title and would not create barriers to articulation.
4. Relocate to a university which has much higher numbers of
health science students, making a PhD or professional
doctorate viable.
Graduates will need a doctorate option in
the future – Unitec only has a DComp and
PhD in Education and will struggle to
establish a further doctoral programme
without high end staff.
4. To meet the needs for the ongoing growth of the profession
4.1
Standing of the profession
All the health professions in NZ, with the
exception of Osteopathy and MI, are
taught in the university sector. The other
field of medical radiation technology,
radiation therapy, is taught at the
University of Otago. MI is taught
1. Unitec to negotiate joint badging of UG and PG
qualifications with a reputable university (either NZ or
overseas)
2. Relocate to a university
33 | P a g e exclusively in the university sector
internationally. This raises concern
regarding perceptions of level, standing
and ongoing development for the
profession in New Zealand
There is concern about ongoing portability
of qualifications, for example, a recent
BHSc(MI) graduate from Unitec not able
to practice in Switzerland because she did
not have a university degree
4.2
Opportunities for staff to
retain clinical and
professional currency
None currently through Unitec. Staff
attempt to keep up with clinical work
outside Unitec working hours.
1. Unitec to establish contracts/workloads which include a
clinical component – this would lower the SSR or create the
necessity for joint appointments.
2. Relocate to UoA, which already has a relationship with
ADHB that allows staff to access the clinical environment.
This would also benefit the MI team’s radiation physicist
and staff teaching imaging science, who work in isolation at
Unitec and do not have access to equipment needed for
currency, testing or research.
34 | P a g e Appendix H
Report from MRTB to Unitec following 5 yearly surveillance visit.
Please note that the original report from the Board is in the form of a PDF which not easy to transfer into
this word document. The report has also been supplied electronically if you wish to view the properly
presented document with letterhead etc.
2 July 2010
Wendy Horne
Executive Dean
Faculty of Social and Health Sciences
UNITEC Institute of Technology
Private Bag 92025
Auckland Mail Centre
AUCKLAND 1142
Dear Wendy
The Medical Radiation Technologist’s Board (the Board) is charged under the Health
Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 to monitor every New Zealand
educational institution that it accredits for the purpose of a prescribed qualification.
The Board monitors the education providers on a continuous cycle every five years.
Monitoring takes the form of a quality assurance report where education providers are
notified of improvements or recommendation that must be considered.
The Medical Radiation Technologist’s Board has recently completed the five year
monitoring visits for UNITEC. The Board would like to thank UNITEC for the time spent
meeting the requirements of the assessors and the Board.
MONITORING PROCESS
The assessor reports were discussed at the recent Board meeting.
1. Assessment of Measure of Clinical Competence
5-8th August 2009
Assessors: Paula Jones, Frances Cowie
A satisfactory report was received from these visits with the method of evaluating
clinical competency of students accepted by the Board as a valid method of
assessment.
From the report:
The final praxis for UNITEC 3rd year students is a robust and rigorous assessment. This
was applied consistently across the three selected centres and the five students
observed. The observers believe that the process applied ensures that students are
reaching the minimum standard for beginning practitioners in New Zealand.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________
Physical: Level 1, 111 Dixon Street, Wellington Postal: PO Box 11 905, Manners Street, Wellington 6142, New Zealand
Telephone (64 4) 801 6250, Facsimile: (64 4) 381 0270
Website: www.mrtboard.org.nz, Email mrt@medsci.co.nz
35 | P a g e 2. Site Visit
25th March 2010
Assessors: Jonathan McConnell, Marie-Therese Borland
The Board acknowledges that the UNITEC site visit was undertaken at a time of
considerable change for UNITEC with the re-structuring of the programme within the
Faculty of Social and Health Sciences which included the move of Year One and Year
Two students to the Waitakere campus.
The assessors report to the Board identified a number of serious concerns. A meeting
was held with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board and the Dean and Pro Dean of
UNITEC on June 10th 2010 to discuss UNITEC’s response to specific points and
clarification of statements in the assessors report. The UNITEC
representatives acknowledged that they were aware of the problems identified in the
assessors report and indicated their commitment in solving these problems. They
outlined the areas in which they had already undertaken improvements.
The report from the assessors to the Board detailed a number of recommendations:
Criteria 1: Staffing
Staff appointments must reflect the discipline of medical radiation technology
Communication and buy-in of the new philosophy and associated campus
redevelopment needs to be reviewed and strengthened
Staff relationships between management and academic staff require a stronger focus
on support for staff while they deal with a significant transition that is likely to continue
for three to five years
Staff facilities need to be reviewed to better accommodate the needs of academic
staff and students
Criteria 2: Course Content
UNITEC establishes an evidence based process for monitoring the effectiveness of
shared interdisciplinary course delivery
Course content is monitored to ensure a focus on meeting industry needs from both a
national and profession development perspective.
Criteria 3: Training Programme
UNITEC addresses the simulation facilities for current students and resources
available to students both within normal hours and after hours
UNITEC addresses the scheduling problems associated with lectures
UNITEC undertakes a review of space available for lectures and students and
ensures there is a standardised timetable that is adhered to
UNITEC maximises the expertise of the Advisory group and strengthens the input
from this group into the programme committee
Criteria 4: Assessment Feedback and Reporting
UNITEC expands on the definitions for mastery at each level.
UNITEC clarifies how the individual assessment components contribute to the clinical
mark to support the move towards assessment grades within the competency structure
of the marking process
36 | P a g e UNITEC consider a change or added detail to course descriptors that define what the
proportions mean so that a standardised approach is recognised for assessment
processes.
Criteria 5: Research
UNITEC reviews physical space and resources available to staff and students for
teaching and research
Criteria 6: Validation
Students and teaching facilities undergo a review
Role of the Advisory group be strengthened to ensure feedback from the industry
informs decision making at a programme committee level and higher.
3. Yearly report
An initial report was sent which did not meet Board requirements. A follow up report
was received for the June Board meeting. This report appeared to focus on the
undergraduate programme and it was not clear where staff responsibilities lay with the
undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. The Board requests this information to be
more specific in next year's report. The Board suggests that the report be written in two
parts to cover the under graduate and the postgraduate programmes.
BOARD DECISION
The Board has agreed that UNITEC is given the opportunity to resolve outstanding
issues associated with their provision of the undergraduate medical imaging
programme. While the Board acknowledges that UNITEC is undergoing a period of
change which will take a minimum of two years to fully implement, UNITEC must
ensure that it is delivering an undergraduate programme whose graduates meet the
minimum competencies as specified by the Board.
1. UNITEC to provide a project plan and timetable to address the concerns raised. The
project plan must be submitted to the Board by the end of August 2010.
2. The Board will undertake a six monthly follow up visit between Board representatives
and UNITEC management in November 2010.
3. The Board will undertake an additional site monitoring visit of UNITEC in June 2011
covering all areas covered in the 2010 site visit.
4. The Board will require written evidence of improvements for the recommendations as
listed in the assessors report to be available for both the six monthly visit in November
2010 and the site monitoring visit in July 2011. This must be referenced against the
project plan.
Should you have any queries in regard to this matter please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Sincerely
Mary Doyle
Registrar
37 | P a g e Appendix I
Preparatory notes written by Associate Professor Jill Yielder for meeting with Dr
Rick Ede, CEO Unitec, and Wendy Horne, Dean of Faculty on 8th October 2009,
provided by Karen Wills, Radiology Coordinator Waitakere Hospital (WDHB)
Notes Prepared for Meeting with Chief Executive and Dean, Faculty of Social &
Health Sciences
Concerns about Medical Imaging Education at Unitec
8 October 2009
Present: Assoc. Prof. Jill Yielder, Andrea Thompson, Heather Gunn (On behalf of
Unitec MI staff); Karen Wills (On behalf of clinical managers); Rick Ede (CE, Unitec);
Wendy Horne (Dean of Faculty). NZIMRT representatives were present for first part of
meeting to address relocation issues (Cathy Colgan, David Morris, Fiona O’Halloran).
Discipline Leader overview, see below.
Representation – whole MI team, clinical managers of Unitec student placements
Wish to emphasise that no single concern has created the situation we are there to
discuss, that our primary concerns have been tabled for some time, also we really
appreciate that Wendy in particular has had a really challenging job coming to Unitec at
a time of such massive change, and has been trying hard to juggle multiple issues
across the faculty.
Background: MRT as an umbrella term - is comprised of two disciplines – medical
imaging is the diagnostic branch, with the other being radiation therapy, which is
focused on the treatment of cancer. RT has an undergraduate degree required for
registration and is taught by the University of Otago. MI requires an undergraduate
degree for working in conventional imaging, and postgraduate qualifications for
specialty areas that have developed, such as MRI and ultrasound. Postgraduate
education for MI in NZ is only offered at Unitec. Postgraduate qualifications will
increasingly be required as the profession develops Advanced Practice roles, which will
require a Masters degree. The need for research to support these rapid developments
is a priority for the profession and our programmes.
For the past five years we have been steadily moving towards the crisis situation we
find ourselves in now. We are the fastest growing health profession, with rapidly
evolving high technology developments that result in high costs and rapid change if we
are to keep education abreast of these developments.
Our concerns have been tabled for the last couple of years, initially with John Webster,
and a year ago with Rick, at which point I outlined the main concerns we had and asked
that Unitec help us to be excellent or let us go. Since then the concerns have in fact
compounded, and on top of that we have had massive internal re-structuring, which has
overlayed and accelerated the situation.
While originally Medical Imaging fitted well at Unitec, which has served us really well
over 19 years, we believe that our profession has outgrown the profile of polytechnic
education, and the funding regime that goes with polytechnics. Since the early 1990s
we have grown from a National Diploma, to degree, to PGDips, to Masters degrees.
There is going to be an increasing emphasis on a Masters degree with the development
of Advanced Practice. The programmes have grown substantially in breadth, depth and
complexity. For an institution to support this growth, substantial investment needs to be
38 | P a g e made now and in the future, not just in conventional imaging facilities, but also in the
high technology specialist equipment our students use. While currently we are being
held back due to lack of facilities, we acknowledge that this equipment is prohibitively
expensive.
At the same time relative funding in polytechnics has decreased. Research funding has
been removed, and even although some is returned currently through the PBRF
system, the specific programmes don’t get this back. If polytechnics are removed from
the PBRF system there will be a further gap.
Throughout this combination of events clinical MI staff have become increasingly
professional, more highly qualified and upwardly mobile, including wishing to obtain
masters qualifications from a university, with an increasing number going to Australian
universities for the university title. At the same time, Unitec teaching staff have also
become the most highly qualified and experienced MI lecturers in New Zealand and are
becoming increasingly concerned about where education at Unitec is heading.
A crisis point has been reached over the last 12 months due to what we’ve broken
down to be a four critical issues.
1. Unitec was previously seeking University of Technology status, which would
have supported the direction MI education is heading in. However, this failed
and there appears to be a current move through the Tertiary Education Strategy
towards two more discrete sectors, at a time when medical imaging has become
more aligned with a university profile.
The polytechnic sector doesn’t
adequately support postgraduate programmes, in particular the increasing need
for Masters degrees and a doctoral programme in the future. We note that
TEC’s philosophy is to move postgraduate education primarily into the university
sector.
Further, the lack of Uni status affects the possibility for students
wanting to articulate with the university sector after qualification, for example,
those wanting to go on to medical school are not given cross-credits, and is also
detrimental to international credibility, for example, the reluctance of overseas
universities to collaborate with Unitec (eg UoS – collaboration “would be
detrimental to our reputation”; UoO re shared Advanced Practice courses –
can’t do that with a polytechnic). We note that elsewhere in the Western world
medical imaging is taught in the university sector.
2. In the last two to three years the capacity to recruit high quality teaching staff
has become an issue, for reasons of low salary, which is not competitive with
either the clinical or university environment, and the inability to attract overseas,
experienced lecturers to a non-university environment. Egs – Fred, Suzanne,
Reshmi (three positions for which there was only one applicant – in all cases
took more than one year to appoint). Currently we have had more than 18
months without sufficient UG staff. Staff have been overloaded for at least two
years, a SSR of 17:1 may be good for the institution, but is too high for quality
education in a health profession that requires intensive clinical teaching, no
thinking space for staff and very little time for curriculum development or
research.
3. Funding and investment. In order to maintain currency in our programmes, they
are fast become extremely expensive. Unitec currently has NO specialist
equipment, and while there is now the possibility being offered of a conventional
practice room in the future, it isn’t possible for Unitec to be able to offer
specialist postgraduate equipment. Now that the research component of our
programmes has disappeared we are worse off than previously in terms of
Unitec being able to invest in our future, which is a change in opposition to
increasing need for investment.
39 | P a g e 4. The current situation within the institution is complex. In particular, two further
issues have exacerbated the situation and brought it to a head.
 Firstly the proposal to move MI to Waitakere. While we are not primarily
here to discuss this, you are aware that we have outlined several serious
risks with respect to this move in terms of loss of staff and students
(National provider, not based in the West, tertiary not community focus.
Students South of central Auckland – difficulties – several will have to
leave. Inadequate accommodation compared to Mt Albert. Loss of MI
‘identity’ with students and staff separated, students no dedicated
space).
 Secondly there have been massive internal changes in Unitec over the
last 18 months, with many reviews occurring. One that will have a large
impact on an already overloaded team is the programme leadership
review. Our programmes don’t fit the EFTs criteria for programme
leadership, so there is a high likelihood of losing the current level of
programme leadership and clinical co-ordination. These are the two
cornerstones of the quality of very complex and clinically-focused
programmes. If senior staff were paid sufficiently well they may not
require additional responsibility allowances, but as it stands, they are not
prepared to do the same job for less salary or time allowance.
So where to from here?
It is our belief that from a professional and academic point of view, for MI to continue to
be successful and to be able to grow, our education needs to be located in the
University sector. We are extremely concerned that the majority of the permanent staff
have indicated that they will leave Unitec rather than be part of a downward spiral in the
programmes, and those staff that need to stay in the short term due to their personal
circumstances are actively looking for other jobs. If Unitec seeks to replace staff with
inexperienced lecturers, or lecturers from outside the profession, the academic
credibility of the programmes will decrease and the postgraduate programmes at the
very least will almost certainly have to discontinue. This is a huge concern for the
whole country. The registration board monitoring visit is occurring at the end of this
year or the beginning of 2010 and they may foreclose on approval of the programmes
for registration if they are concerned about staffing, and the profession is most keen
that this situation doesn’t happen, for two reasons – for the sake of the students in the
programmes, and the potential loss to the profession of the experience and knowledge
of the current lecturing staff.
Our programmes need university status for international reciprocity and to meet the
expectations of our changing profession into the future. We recognise that ethically we
can’t make such a move without putting it on the table, so we want to indicate that we
think it is time to consider options and a way forward, before expense is incurred in
relocating us. The last thing you need after a major move is a reluctant group that
doesn’t feel it fits the focus of Unitec. If we look at where we sit within Unitec, we don’t
fit into the primary health, community based focus of the other health and community
disciplines that will be located at Waitakere; we are small fry to Unitec in terms of EFTs;
according to the Academic Portfolio review at the end of last year, we are categorised
as ‘marginal’ rather than core to Unitec’s vision and identity, further, a big concern, our
postgraduate programmes have to achieve a positive financial contribution by 2010,
which is highly unlikely under current circumstances. We realise that we’ll be a major
financial drain if we’re to be supported adequately in the high technology environment
of now and into the future – a simulation room is only the bare minimum we need. We
note that currently Unitec has made very little investment into MI, only the cost of
accreditation in the 1990s, and we have no physical resources other than the labs that
other disciplines also use.
40 | P a g e To summarise, our four major areas of concern are: Firstly the lack of university status
at Unitec, secondly recruitment and retention problems, thirdly, funding and investment,
and lastly the current institutional issues.
So putting all this together, we’ve made a decision as a profession that the time has
come for our programmes to be relocated within the university environment and this
meeting is to let you know that we want to investigate our options and hope that you’ll
support us, understanding that the profession no longer fits long term in the polytechnic
environment.
41 | P a g e Appendix J
Submission from the clinical managers from the three main Auckland DHB’s
FUTURE OF MEDICAL IMAGING EDUCATION
October 2009
Executive Summary
The Profession
Medical Imaging (MI) is one of the fastest evolving health professions, with accelerating
role development and registration requirements at a postgraduate level in an increasing
array of MI specialisations. There is an ongoing shortage of qualified medical imaging
staff in New Zealand.
The Providers
There are three providers of MI in New Zealand: Unitec, UCOL and CPIT.
Unitec is the largest and longest-established provider and the only postgraduate
provider in New Zealand. It has highly qualified academic staff (all to postgraduate
level).
The Issues
5. As technological developments in MI accelerate, Unitec is unable to provide the
high cost specialist equipment essential for student learning.
6. The polytechnic sector and Unitec in particular can no longer support the full
range of MI education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. In
particular:
a. The potential exclusion of polytechnics from the PBRF would make it
very difficult for Unitec to fund the research needed to support both
undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
b. The draft Tertiary Education Strategy indicates a more pronounced
distinction between polytechnics and universities, with no indication that
postgraduate growth will be supported in polytechnics in the future.
7. It is becoming close to impossible to recruit appropriately qualified MI staff to
teach in the polytechnic environment. Throughout the western world, MI is
taught in the university sector, and MI is the only health profession in New
Zealand not taught in a university.
8. Unitec’s decision to move the MI programmes to its Waitakere campus has
exacerbated the serious concerns held by the profession and teaching staff.
The Solution
To provide a long term solution to the ongoing development of the MI profession, it is
proposed that MI education be relocated from Unitec to the Faculty of Medical and
Health Sciences at the University of Auckland.
Background
Medical imaging is one of the fastest growing health professions, and provides a crucial
role in health provision. It is also evolving exponentially as new technology advances
become adopted into professional practice at the postgraduate level and practitioners
extend their professional roles through postgraduate qualifications. Alongside this
development the profession is suffering from chronic recruitment and retention issues
and is struggling to maintain the numbers of students graduating in both under and
postgraduate programmes.
42 | P a g e Unitec, UCOL and CPIT are the providers for undergraduate degrees required for
registration in conventional medical imaging. Unitec is the only provider of postgraduate
education, which is required for registration in ultrasound and MRI. Postgraduate
education will increasingly be needed with the current development of an Advanced
Practitioner level of career progression that will require a minimum of a masters degree
and potentially the development of a professional doctorate.
The medical imaging profession is at a transition point. Twenty years ago a transition
occurred from what was a practice-based, apprenticeship style occupation, with a
diploma programme previously offered in hospitals moving into the tertiary education
sector. The profession has since developed very rapidly on the back of technological
advances, the proliferation of medical imaging services and more recent role
development, which has created a genuine profession that needs its own knowledge
base. In addition, with the growth of specialty areas such as MRI and ultrasound, this
knowledge base has been extended into postgraduate education and the increasing
need for research.
Unitec
Unitec’s undergraduate degree and postgraduate diploma qualifications are the
benchmark qualifications for registration in New Zealand. Unitec has the most
experienced and highly qualified staff in New Zealand, with the academic staff holding a
minimum of a masters degree and a healthy research portfolio to support the
postgraduate programmes. Students applying for the undergraduate medical imaging
programme are of very high calibre, with many already holding a health science degree
from the university sector. Unitec has served the profession very well for many years,
however medical imaging as a profession has reached another key transition point.
Postgraduate requirements, in particular, have now outgrown the polytechnic
environment and are at a critical point, needing supported change in the university
sector.
Unitec was previously seeking university of technology status, which may have
supported the ongoing development of the medical imaging programmes. However,
this failed and there appears to be a current move towards two more discrete sectors, a
move that is supported by the recently released draft Tertiary Education Strategy. The
polytechnic sector doesn’t adequately support postgraduate programmes. For example,
there is already a funding differential based on the supposition that polytechnics are
less involved in research than universities, and the possible removal of polytechnics
from the PBRF will deny further research funding which is needed to support the
masters programme, and to maintain staff research portfolios. Research however is
seen as being of prime importance to grow medical imaging knowledge and the
profession. It is vital that the development of a strong research environment is
maintained. We note that medical imaging education elsewhere in the Western world is
located in the university sector. In addition, education for all the other health
professions is offered within the university sector, which opens opportunities for
students who wish to pursue postgraduate study.
Unitec is the only postgraduate provider for medical imaging in New Zealand and even
if it continues to be willing, cannot provide a university environment. It cannot provide
high cost equipment (in contrast, for example, to the University of Auckland which
already has an MRI scanner for research purposes and is installing other advanced
modalities) and neither can it provide the university title needed for the international
credibility of postgraduate study. While Unitec’s postgraduate programmes are of very
high quality and have been tailored to meet the needs of the profession in New
Zealand, there has been a noticeable change in attitude of career focused MI
43 | P a g e practitioners over recent years looking for the university title. With the availability of
distance learning in Australian university-based programmes, the viability of New
Zealand-based programmes is threatened and the growth of the knowledge base of the
profession is taken away from New Zealand.
The situation at Unitec has recently been tipped to a crisis point with the medical
imaging programmes being relocated to West Auckland (Henderson) for the beginning
of 2010. This is a sudden change that was not open for consultation. Medical imaging
is not locally based in the West (unlike Unitec’s nursing programme), instead it has a
national focus, particularly for postgraduate programmes, for which it provides
educational opportunities for the whole country. Students are extremely unhappy with
the relocation, with many indicating they will not be able to continue in the programmes
due to practicalities mainly relating to travel. There will also be a loss of staff members
with the move. It has become increasingly difficult to recruit high quality, experienced
teaching staff, with long term staff shortages being reported over the last two years
even without the move.
These factors are of great professional concern, as there is a real risk that New
Zealand’s most established medical imaging education programmes could collapse,
resulting in major workforce issues for the country, given that Unitec educates 40-44
students in each year of the undergraduate programme and currently has around 90
postgraduate students. Clinical providers, the NZIMRT and medical imaging staff at
Unitec have identified the move, and other factors, as a major risk through the Advisory
Committee and through direct delegation to the Chief Executive and Dean of Faculty
(see appended meeting notes), however staff have been advised that the relocation
decision is not negotiable and that the programmes do not need the university title.
UCOL and CPIT
Neither of these institutions is in a position to take over Unitec’s Medical Imaging
provision. They have their own difficulties in attracting staff, particularly for programme
leadership. Neither team has sufficient research background, supervision experience
or appropriate postgraduate qualifications to undertake postgraduate provision.
Further, Greater Auckland is the largest centre of medical imaging practice in New
Zealand, across all modalities, and therefore needs to retain the education of these
professionals.
We are therefore seeking a proactive move that will support the growth of the medical
imaging profession into the future. If nothing is done until the programmes begin to
decline, decisions will be reactive and the profession will suffer.
Proposal
The profession is seeking TEC support to move funding for Unitec’s medical imaging
programmes to the university sector where the postgraduate programmes in particular
will be better supported and be able to be further developed to support extended
Scopes of Practice in Diagnostic Imaging. The under and postgraduate programmes
need to remain together for progression and to maximise staff expertise. This intention
is supported by the clinical departments that provide placements for Unitec students.
We note that Radiation Therapy, the other branch of the Medical Radiation Technology
profession, even although only offering an undergraduate programme, is already
located in the University sector, through the University of Otago Clinical School in
Wellington.
44 | P a g e This proposal would align with the draft Tertiary Education Strategy (2010-2015), which
profiles the university sector for degree and postgraduate programmes, while
polytechnics have a profile predominantly focusing on certificate and diploma
programmes. While it is assumed that degree level study would still be acceptable in
the polytechnic environment, the strategy certainly appears to be indicating that the
medical imaging profile of under and postgraduate programmes (extending to a
professional doctorate in the future) would be best located in the university sector,
particularly given the increasing need for research to support the knowledge base in
such a rapidly developing health profession.
The University of Auckland has expressed strong interest in offering medical imaging
programmes from their Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
 There are clear synergies with radiologist education, taught in the faculty.
Radiologists and radiographers form the essential team in a radiology
department.
 Specialist radiology equipment is already on site (MRI scanner, ultrasound
equipment). The cost of this equipment is prohibitive and beyond the reach of
any other tertiary institution.
 The UoA is investing in further state-of-the-art equipment, such as PET CT,
which would mean that New Zealand could re-investigate the education of
nuclear medicine professionals, which used to be taught in conjunction with
medical imaging, but at present has to be taught in Australia.
 The Philson medical library has radiology resources not able to be replicated in
the polytechnic sector.
 There are excellent wet-labs and pathology museum resources, from which
Unitec currently has to ‘hire’ time for both under and postgraduate students.
 There is close proximity to the largest clinical placement, ADHB.
 Shared teaching:
1. The benefit of having radiology registrars teaching specialist
postgraduate lectures on-site – this need will increase as the profession
moves into Advanced Practice roles within the masters programme.
2. Medical imaging staff teaching new radiology registrars radiation
physics and radiation protection as occurred in the past when located in
the School of Radiography on the Auckland Hospital site.
 The ability to grow the medical imaging profession into the future, with
appropriate support for under and postgraduate programmes, further
development of specialty pathways and the development of a professional
doctorate or PhD.
Conclusion
We are asking the Tertiary Education Commission to transfer the funding for the Unitec
Medical Imaging programmes to the University of Auckland on the grounds that the
profession has grown so dramatically in the past decade that the profile for the
polytechnic sector is no longer able to support lifelong education for the medical
imaging professional and will not be able to support advances needed into the future.
It is essential that a pro-active decision is made in the best interests of the ongoing
development of the profession.
45 | P a g e