Public Service

Northland DHB Radiology

Northland District Health Board (NDHB)

Description

What is Radiology?

Radiological procedures are used for looking at the internal structures of the body, whether bone or soft tissue. Usually these examinations are carried out to:

diagnose disease states, such as cancer or heart disease
show if there is any injury to body structures
provide treatments (interventional radiology)
assist in the management of normal or complex pregnancy
screen for the detection of abnormalties in well patients such as for breast cancer, aortic aneurysm, osteoporosis and foetal defects.

Different methods such as, X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Fluoroscopy, Mammography and Ultrasound are some specialised types of radiological imaging which may be used.

The Team

Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) or Radiographers perform your X-ray, barium and mammography examinations.
Sonographers are MRTs who perform your ultrasound examinations.
Radiologists are specialist doctors who read and understand your films. They will also be involved if you have an intravenous urogram (IVU), barium study, mammogram and a number of other ultrasound procedures. They interpret the results of the images and send them to your doctor.

Northland DHB Radiology also holds clinics at:

Mauri Ora Breast Clinic
Cnr Maunu Road and West End Avenue
Whangarei

Radiologists working at Mauri Ora Breast Clinic are Dr Kim Shepherd and Dr Anthea Wild (see below under Consultants for more information).

Referral Expectations

For general x-rays you must first be assessed by your GP before you can be referred to the Radiology Department. Some patients will be referred by specialists.

There are currently more referrals for appointments than we have the capacity to see. All referrals for ultrasounds, CT, MRI, mammography and other specialist examinations are read by a radiologist and a priority rating is attached to the referral. The most urgent cases get seen first and more routine cases go on the waiting list. Referrals for plain x-rays are checked by designated clinical staff for prioritisation.

Once the referral from your GP is accepted by us, we will write/telephone you giving you an appointment time and date. When you receive your appointment, please turn up on the day because if you do not turn up, you will deprive another patient of this appointment. For some appointments, you will be asked to confirm your attendance.

If you are unable to attend an appointment it would be helpful to inform the Radiology Department of this so that your allocated time can be given to another patient.

Procedures / Treatments

X-ray

An X-ray is a high frequency, high energy wave form. It cannot be seen with the naked eye, but can be picked up on photographic film.… More
Computer Tomography (CT)

With CT you can differentiate many more things than with a normal X-ray.… More
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI machine does not work like an X-ray or CT; it is used for exact images of internal organs and body structures. This method delivers clear images without the exposure of radiation.… More
Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a widely used and completely safe examination which uses a beam of sound to form images of the organs and soft tissues of the body. There is no radiation used in ultrasound, making it safe for use during pregnancy.… More
Barium Enema

A barium enema is an X-ray procedure to examine the lower part of the gastro-intestinal tract (large bowel).… More
Mammography

A mammogram is a special type of x-ray used only for the breast.… More
DEXA Bone Densitometry

DEXA (which stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scanning uses special x-rays to measure the density of your bones.… More
CT Colonography

More