THE first patients have begun to use the region’s first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, which was installed at Gawler Health Service last week.

The machine was installed at Dr Jones and Partners Medical Imaging to be used by the hospital’s emergency department and for inpatients, as well as for patients referred by general practitioners, specialists and allied health professionals, such as podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists.

Clinic director Mitchell Raeside said having an MRI at Gawler has improved accessibility for a lot of people, reducing their travel times and expediting waiting lists.

“We had 10 patients through in the first couple of days, and our very first patient commented that it’s so much more convenient to have it here rather than travel into the city,” he said.

“It’s so much more of a pleasant environment to come to.”

Dr Jones and Partners replaced the longstanding Benson Radiology at the Gawler hospital in 2019 and since then has undertaken a refurbishment of the department and upgraded its imaging services, with the addition of digital mammography dual energy computed tomography (CT).

Despite being unsuccessful in its application to operate a Medicare-eligible MRI machine at the site, Dr Raeside said the decision was made to push ahead with a machine installation.

“(Gawler’s) an area that’s really deserving of a scanner, so we were surprised when we didn’t get a licence; but we decided we were going to make the commitment anyway and provide a service and then continue to lobby the government,” he said.

“It really just completes the clinic here as well – MRI was that last bit of equipment needed to really make it comprehensive clinic with all the offerings that we can.”

The new machine is a state-of the art widebore machine that can reduce scanning times as well as make the experience more comfortable for patients experiencing claustrophobia.

An area had to be purpose-built for the machine, and last month, it was craned in and lowered overhead into its position.