Panorama Radiology Specialists' State-of-the-Art Benowa Clinic: Re-Focussing on Personalised, Patient-Centric Care

Panorama Radiology Specialists

13/117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa (in the Amart Complex) (07) 5654 5133 | panoramaradiology.com.au

The April opening of Panorama Radiology Specialists' new comprehensive independent clinic at 117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa (in the AMart complex) delivered a much needed boost to radiology service accessibility in the Benowa medical precinct, offering Bulk Billing of all Medicare eligible referrals, industry-leading equipment and personalised, patient-centric care delivered by a team with two decades of experience. Same day appointments are generally available for CT, MRI, Echocardiography, EOS scans, DEXA, Dental Imaging and XRays.

Principal radiologist, Dr Angus Watts, said "the clinic’s launch is a reflection of an emerging shift in the Australian diagnostic imaging market, whereby after a decade of virtual monopolisation by multinational corporate providers, we're now seeing the pendulum swing back toward the traditional doctor-owned model, with a focus on high quality service provision and personalised patient-centric care, rather than turnover volumes and share prices. With the rapidly-growing ageing population on the Gold Coast and the recent pandemic-driven migration from southern states, there has been a period of substantial growth in demand for medical services, and a steadily-rising mismatch between demand for diagnostic imaging services and accessibility by the local community. It became apparent that the sheer volume of demand for diagnostic imaging in the region was beginning to take a toll on the accessibility, affordability and quality of imaging services for many patients, particularly for complex diagnostic services such as MRI, CT Coronary Angiography and imaging guided pain management procedures.”

“The escalating demand and accessibility shortfall led me to explore the concept of a large-format 'one stop shop' for medical imaging services, offering high quality comprehensive diagnostic and interventional services with a personalised, patient-centric focus, Medicare Bulk Billing, extensive onsite parking, easy ground floor access for older patients and minimal waiting times.”

The 1300sqm site in the Benowa Amart complex was once an ice skating rink in the '80s, and later a furniture warehouse. But following a major infrastructure upgrade and redevelopment, the completed site comprises an 850sqm radiology facility fitted with industry-leading technology, conference facilities, and collocated medical consulting suites, which currently have lease availability through Ray White Commercial.

A self-confessed tech geek, Dr Watts and Panorama’s technologist team, led by leading MRI technologist Sam Bradshaw, are committed to exploring new and innovative technologies including Deep Resolve AI image enhancement for the clinic's Siemens 3T MRI scanner. Dr Watts said "the scanner is game-changing technology which is producing exceptional detail of fine structures such as the scapho-lunate and LisFranc ligaments, substantially more detail than conventional 3T MRI machines were producing even 2 years ago. As a musculoskeletal radiologist this is an exciting development, and brings a greater level of certainty to the diagnosis of subtle nerve and tendo-ligamentous pathologies, in addition to oncology and neuro-imaging applications. We’re also exploring emerging technologies such as MRI Discography (Disc Spectroscopy) for non-invasive localisation of discogenic back pain, and DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) for mapping of neural pathways and muscle tears.

Panorama's advanced low dose EOS scanner offers precise spinal alignment and leg length measurements to complement the range of spinal imaging and imaging guided pain management services. The clinic also offers specialist and GPreferred low-dose CT Coronary Angiography and CT Calcium Scoring using an advanced 640-slice CT Scanner with AI image enhancement, in addition to bulk billed Echocardiography, Imaging-guided Pain Management Procedures, Ultrasound, Xray, dental imaging and DEXA.

"Now we’re well into our second month of service provision, it's very clear that there is indeed a strong demand for accessible and affordable, high quality personalised imaging services, and it's been extremely rewarding to have received overwhelmingly glowing feedback from our patients and clinicians that we are meeting that demand and exceeding expectations."

Dr Watts is a fellowship-trained Musculoskeletal and Interventional Radiologist with two decades of experience, was formerly a Managing Partner and Clinical Director at SCR, and served as a musculoskeletal radiologist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He is also an accredited CT Coronary Angiography reader, and an experienced prostate mpMRI reader.

Dr Watts is always happy to discuss clinical cases and interventional pathways with referring clinicians.

OncoBeta®

OncoBeta® Rhenium-SCT® is a precise, personalised treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) lesions.1 It is the only therapy available that utilises the rhenium-188 isotope to treat NMSCs. Available now at John Flynn Private Hospital, Tugun, as part of a program headed by A/Prof Sid Baxi (Radiation Oncologist, Regional Medical Director - Gold Coast, MBBS, GAICD, FRANZCR).

How does it work?

Rhenium-SCT® provides localised skin irradiation with the rhenium-188 isotope.2-4 Its therapeutic effect is based on the celldestroying effect of emitted β particles, which triggers both local cell death and reactions of the immune system to repair itself.2-4

Rhenium-SCT® releases a maximum 2.1 MeV with penetration depths of 2-3mm.2-4 Since 90% of its energy is released within the first 2 mm, Rhenium-SCT® spares the underlying tissue layers.3,4 Additionally, its short half-life means the isotope decays within hours.2,3

What does OncoBeta® RheniumSCT® mean for your patients?

• No pain during treatment With Rhenium-SCT®, patients experience no pain for the duration of treatment with well-tolerated skin reactions.4

• No surgery, no anaesthesia and minimal scarring

Rhenium-SCT® is non-invasive and does not require hospitalisation or anaesthesia.2-4

The procedure also results in little to no scarring.2,4

References:

1. Therapeutic Goods Administration. ARTG Public summary 400142. OncoBeta Therapeutics Pty Ltd - Radionuclide system, therapeutic, brachytherapy, manual. Effective date: 24/11/2022.

2. Sedda AF, et al. Clin Exper Dermatol. 2008; 33:745-749.

3. Cipriani C, et al. J Dermatol Treat. 2022;33(2):969-975.

4. Castelluci P, et al. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2021;48(5):1511-1521

5. Cipriani, C., Sedda, A.F. (2012). Epidermal Radionuclide Therapy: Dermatological HighDose-Rate Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In: Baum, R. (eds) Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2012_778.

6. Carrozzo AM, et al. Eur J Dermatol. 2013;23(2):183-188.

7. Carrozzo AM, et al. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2014;149(1):115-21.

Who is suitable for OncoBeta® Rhenium-SCT®?

Oncobeta® Rhenium-SCT® is approved for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.1 It offers a valid alternative to surgery in cases where multiple lesions require treatment, or where aesthetic or functional outcomes may be difficult to achieve with surgery due to tumour location.2-4,7 This therapy is also suitable for patients where relapse has occurred after previous surgical procedures and in patients who aren’t candidates for surgery due to age, comorbidities or refusal.2-4

Rhenium-SCT® is contraindicated with pregnancy or suspected pregnancy or in people less than 18 years of age.5 It is also not appropriate for patients who have a diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer, have tumours that involve nerves or bony structures, or are located on the upper eyelid, and/or have disorders that could affect wound healing.

Now available through GenesisCare at John Flynn Private Hospital, Tugun.

To refer patients:

T: 07 5507 3600 | F: 07 5507 3610

E: receptiononcologytugun@genesiscare.com (Or visit the healthcare professional portal genesiscare.com).