A MEDICAL imaging company that began operating out of Gawler hospital this week says it will push to bring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services to Gawler in the future.

Dr Jones & Partners opened the doors to its new practice at the hospital on Monday after winning a five-year term from SA Health, replacing the long-standing Benson Radiology at the site.

Benson Radiology will continue to service the community from its Adelaide Road location.

Gawler Health Service’s director of nursing, Karen Puvogel, said medical imaging services are provided for an agreed term, and once that term is completed a tender process occurs, with applications open to all interested parties.

“Dr Jones & Partners were awarded the most recent tender at Gawler Health Service,” she said.

“Each application was assessed against a set of tender requirements that included the ability to service the community, as well as overall value for money.

“We are thankful for the many years of excellent service provided by Benson Radiology, and we look forward to welcoming Dr Jones & Partners to the hospital.”

Dr Jones & Partners will completely refurbish the whole department and upgrade the existing equipment, including the addition of digital mammography and dual energy computed tomography (CT).

The company also applied for a licence to operate an MRI machine at the site, but it was given to a smaller private practice in Adelaide.

Dr Jones & Partners north/ country area manager Jeanette Beazleigh said despite being unsuccessful this time around, they wouldn’t stop fighting for MRI services again in the future.

“It was a little bit disappointing; down the track we’d like to obtain one at the hospital – it’s an important step in completing the services available,” she said.

Mrs Beazleigh said Dr Jones & Partners had already forged a strong relationship with country sites – as it currently services Wallaroo, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor, Mount Barker and Kangaroo Island – and would look to do the same at Gawler.

“Being a hospital site means we provide a lot of service to the community,” she said.

“Munno Para is probably as far north as we’d been, apart from our other country sites, so it means we’ve been able to go further into the country.

“We like working with the country hospitals, and we like working with the staff who work in those hospitals.

“The country work ethic is great.

“We’re looking forward to working with all stakeholders.

“Everyone we’ve come across and talked to about the change has been positive.”