CT's CT scanner brings care closer to home

After years of advocacy, planning and construction, Charters Towers Health Service is now providing CT scanning services to local patients.

The new service is expected to perform around 2,000 CT scans each year, reducing the need for patients to travel to Townsville for diagnostic imaging.

The $8.6 million project included the construction of a purpose-built CT scanner facility connected to existing hospital services, along with the recruitment of additional staff across radiography, nursing, administration, and operational support roles.

Charters Towers Health Service director of nursing Katrina Ford said the new service represented a major milestone for the hospital and the wider region.

“It’s a really wonderful achievement; it’s been something that’s been in the works for a long, long time for us,” Ms Ford said.

“It’s definitely been a godsend for our patients and it’s a really lovely opportunity to increase our services locally. It increases the scope for our nursing staff, increases the scope for our radiographers, and means we’re able to employ more locals as well.

“It’s been such a welcome service for the community so far, and the other lovely part is that we can now support the Hughenden and Richmond communities further west.”

Among the people to benefit from the new service was Charters Towers resident Nicole Gallon, who became the first local patient to undergo a CT scan at the facility.

“Being part of a small community like we are, I actually felt privileged; it was pretty special,” Ms Gallon said.

“Having access to CT scanning locally is going to save time and money.

“Not only does it cut down travel time, but it helps with the cost of living, so I think it’s a really great thing for the community.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said the project demonstrated the importance of investing in healthcare services closer to home.

“Delivering healthcare to all of our regional communities is incredibly important,” Mr Keyes said.

“Our clinicians here are incredibly proud of what they do, and having access to a new CT scanner is something this community deserves, and we’re proud to have delivered it.”

The service will transition to a 24/7 on-call model from late June.