Critical components had broken in an MRI machine, one part having to be imported from the United States and the other part from Germany, Southern District Health Board specialist services executive director Patrick Ng told a hospital advisory committee meeting yesterday.
The machine was initially repaired and working again last Monday.
Two days later a CT scanner broke down, Mr Ng said.
"That is still unfolding but the part is now in the country and we envisage it will be about a week before that is up and running."
SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said the organisation had been in discussion with the suppliers of the machines about the breakdowns and was reviewing its contract.
The performance of the MRI service and other medical imaging services slipped markedly while Covid-19 restrictions were in place, but had been steadily improving before the mechanical setbacks, Mr Ng said.
"MRI Dunedin average wait times have decreased from 65 days (May) to 49 days (July), while CT Dunedin wait times have decreased from 63 days (May) to 50 days (July).
"We are anticipating that the improvement we have seen and the recovery we have seen is going to be affected, but they will hopefully recover."
