New $7.6m CT unit to boost scanning capacity in Palmerston North

It is expected to add around 3,000 scans annually.

A $7.6m (NZ$12.7m) computed tomography (CT) unit is expected to double the scanning capacity at New Zealand’s Palmerston North Regional Hospital, according to the government.

The new modular facility will house two CT scanners, replacing one ageing machine and expanding the hospital’s capacity by around 3,000 additional scans annually.

“With greater scanning capacity, we’ll ease pressure across the system, reducing emergency department delays, supporting planned surgeries, and enabling faster diagnoses for time-critical conditions,” said Health Minister Simeon Brown.

The unit will begin operating in February 2026 whilst a permanent imaging hub is being developed as part of a wider redevelopment.

NZ$1 = $0.60