CDHB purchases Canterbury Medical Imaging radiology assets

January 18, 2012

CDHB purchases Canterbury Medical Imaging radiology assets in Merivale

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is pleased to announce it will take ownership of Canterbury Medical Imaging assets, including an MRI machine and CT scanner on January 23, 2012.

Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive, David Meates says having this additional equipment will enable the CDHB to meet a higher demand for radiology services and improve access for Canterbury people.

“This doubling of capacity is particularly good news for people who need an MRI scan. Having another machine dedicated to CDHB use will lead to much shorter waiting times,” Mr Meates says.

“We are also less reliant on external providers for radiology services, reducing our outsourcing costs and freeing up healthcare dollars.”

The facility, to be renamed Canterbury Community Radiology will provide a wide range of radiology services for Canterbury people as part of a more integrated system. A negotiated agreement means the staff currently employed by CMI have been offered the opportunity to transfer to Canterbury District Health Board and continue to work at the current location.

CMI is a private company owned by international medical diagnostics company Sonic Healthcare and have been delivering community referred radiology services (mostly X-rays) from the Merivale base for 13 years.

“This really is a win-win for the Canterbury health system and the people who use it. Valuable equipment and expertise are retained and our ability to deliver quality radiology services is significantly increased,” Mr Meates says.

ENDS