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Latest diagnostic imaging technology is now available Cobar residents will have better access to Services General Manager James Harvey said “The truck has a bed lifter to transfer patients the latest diagnostic imaging technology, the service is a fully-equipped CT scanner in beds or wheelchairs, and we’ve ensured with NSW’s first mobile CT imaging van installed in a custom-built housing on the back each hospital site in the mobile CT’s rotation officially announced by Minister for Health of a rigid truck. has had significant power, data and parking Ryan Park last week. The housing expands to create an air- upgrades so the van’s functions are the same as CT – or computed tomography – takes de- conditioned scanning room and reception, en- a fixed service,” Mr Harvey said. tailed images of the internal organs, bones, soft suring patient comfort. Continued Page 2. tissue and blood vessels. The new Remote Mobile CT Service will be used for non-emergency patients to help diagnose causes of pain from muscles or joints, detect diseases or prepare patients for further treatment or surgery. Minister Park said the ground-breaking service will begin welcoming patients in the coming weeks, and is expected to see around 1,500 per year as it rotates between Cobar, Walgett and Bourke. He said the Remote Mobile CT Service is undergoing its final stages of preparation. “Bringing these specialist services closer to people’s homes is tremendously important in this part of the state, where the cost and complexity of travel and leaving family or community can be a disincentive. “There is no fixed CT service between Dubbo and Broken Hill to the west, and the Queensland border to the north, so this unique service will significantly improve access to this important care for our remote communities. “Having the Remote Mobile CT Service at their doorstep will help many patients avoid hours on the road, some of them up to 10-hour round trips to Dubbo, to have scans. “It will also be a huge benefit as we continue improving health outcomes among our AborigCobar residents will now have access to a CT Scan service right on their doorstep as a inal communities.” Western NSW Local Health District Imaging mobile unit rotates between Cobar, Walgett and Bourke. ▪ Photo contributed
Wednesday May 24, 2023 The Cobar Weekly Page 3
