Another success for HBDHB’s Specialist Radiology

10 August 2005

Yet another success for HBDHB’s Specialist Radiology Services

It isn’t often that you hear the words “awesome” being emitted from a white-coated, technically orientated radiologist, but that is exactly what Dr Sean Skea, Head of Radiology at Hawke’s Bay Hospital is saying about the Board’s new 16 channel capable Excite HDI MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine.

“The Board gave us approval to install an upgrade to our existing machine in April, this was completed five weeks ago and our staff have now been fully trained on the new equipment. The results we are getting are even better than we anticipated” says Dr Skea.

The new machine is capable of delivering better quality images in a shorter time frame, which means quicker diagnosis for patients.

Says Dr Skea “In April 2001 the Board entered into a lease on a single channel MRI machine, technology has moved rapidly since then and four years later we have upgraded to an 16 channel capable machine. GE have been our partner in this installation – which sees Hawke’s Bay DHB having one of the most advanced machines of its type in the southern hemisphere.

In the past 12 months the Board’s specialist radiology services has invested significantly in new equipment such as the new 40 slice CT scanner (thanks to the generosity of the Weem Trust) and the award winning digital radiology information and picture archiving communication system.

Investment which Dr Skea says is paying dividends in both patient care, diagnosis and detection and in supporting the recruitment and retention of specialist radiologists.

“It is awesome to be working with such great tools and great people and very satisfying to know that you are able to do so much more to improve the health and well-being of the people of Hawke’s Bay’ says Dr Skea.

ENDS

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