Radiology | Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)

Public Service, Radiology, Pregnancy Ultrasound

Today

Kaitaia Hospital

Open today 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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 abnormalities 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, Ultrasound, Barium Enema and DEXA are some specialised types of radiological imaging which may be used.

The Team

Medical Imaging Technologists (MITs) or Radiographers perform your X-ray, barium and mammography examinations.
Sonographers are MITs 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.

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.

Hours

Kaitaia Hospital

Open today 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mon – Fri	8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Services Provided

Pregnancy ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning, is a method of obtaining pictures from inside the human body through the use of high frequency sound waves. Obstetric ultrasound refers to the specialised use of this technique to produce a picture of your unborn baby while it is inside your uterus (womb). The sound waves are emitted from a hand-held nozzle, which is placed on your stomach, and reflection of these sound waves is displayed as a picture of the moving foetus (unborn baby) on a monitor screen. No x-rays are involved in ultrasound imaging. Measurements of the image of the foetus help in the assessment of its size and growth as well as confirming the due date of delivery.

The sound waves are emitted from a hand-held nozzle, which is placed on your stomach, and reflection of these sound waves is displayed as a picture of the moving foetus (unborn baby) on a monitor screen.

No x-rays are involved in ultrasound imaging. Measurements of the image of the foetus help in the assessment of its size and growth as well as confirming the due date of delivery.