Mobile Health Group and Mercy Radiology are positioned to increase patient accessibility to PET-CT scans by delivering
Mobile Imaging - Australasia’s first mobile PET-CT. This will see thousands of cancer patients benefit from the arrival
of new mobile diagnostic technology while helping to improve access to healthcare for priority populations, which
include provincial and rural areas.
Accessible to both public and private patients, Mobile Imaging is set to be on the road in March 2024 and transported
across Aotearoa New Zealand in regions with high demand, and locations with limited access to a permanent facility.
Mark Eager, Chief Executive of Mobile Health Group says, “While PET-CT imaging is becoming increasingly available in
metropolitan areas, it is unlikely that a permanent fixed installation will be available outside of larger urban areas.
There has been a call to provide a mobile PET-CT service for several years to address the inequity of access to scans.
Mobile Imaging is about providing patients with accessibility and removing barriers such as travel expenses, or the
inability to travel due to ill health.”
Eager adds, “We have developed this joint venture with Mercy Radiology who are bringing their expertise to the areas of
need by providing equity of access to cancer care, and Mobile Health Group is providing our experience in the delivery
of mobile health vehicles. We are currently working with Te Whatu Ora to establish the sites to visit and a contract.”
The mobile PET-CT unit can conduct traditional CT scans. However, patients who receive a small amount of radiotracer can
have a more advanced hybrid PET-CT scan (Positron Emission Tomography). Positron emission tomography is a highly
sensitive imaging procedure used to study specific areas or the whole body. There are six PET-CT scanners in the country
located in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch. Although several other sites are planned, around half of
the New Zealand population lives outside of these cities.
Dr. Remy Lim, Medical Director of Mercy Radiology says, “We recognised that there is a geographical barrier to accessing
a PET-CT facility. Regional New Zealanders are often expected to travel significant distances between their homes and
the closest PET-CT facility. As a result, people who live in regional centres are more likely to encounter barriers to
early assessment and treatment monitoring for their cancer. What region you reside in should not matter when accessing
your PET-CT scan.”
Dr Lim adds, “Patients onboard the mobile unit will also have an advanced digital PET-CT scan which produces superior
images for a more accurate diagnosis and evaluation of disease. The digital PET scanner is a major step up from
old-style analog PET cameras. Another innovation is that a PSMA PET-CT scan, used to identify the extent of prostate
cancer, can be safely produced onboard the mobile unit.”
Being the first mobile PET-CT in Australasia, Dr Lim says that the mobile concept is being watched with interest by
many. “Partnering with Mobile Health Group enables us to focus on the digital imaging side and quality of service
without having to worry about logistics. Mobile Health Group is an innovative organisation that has the clever ability
to come up with solutions to every challenge. It gives me great confidence to deliver mobile PET-CT while improving
accessibility for New Zealanders.”