Tauranga health: Medical imaging now more accessible in Bay of Plenty

Bay Radiology's new flagship branch houses all modalities under one roof.

A new medical imaging clinic is now open in Tauranga.

In a statement to SunLive, RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group said it is excited to announce that Bay Radiology’s new flagship clinic on 17th Avenue in Tauranga is now fully open.

Phase one of the clinic, which includes Bay Radiology’s first Pet-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) scanner, opened in September 2024.

Phase two opened last week, completing this state-of-the-art facility. The new purpose-built clinic is designed to future-proof medical imaging services for Bay of Plenty residents.

Spanning more than 3000sq m, this extensive clinic is the largest medical imaging clinic in New Zealand, the statement said.

It is equipped with the latest technology, including a high-tech Pet-CT scanner as well as state-of-the-art MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound equipment.

The clinic offers a comprehensive range of medical imaging services, including interventional radiology, mammography and fluoroscopy.

Bay Radiology's 17th Avenue waiting areas are designed to be welcoming, calm and comfortable for patients.

Bay Radiology managing radiologist Dr Kunaal Rajpal said removing barriers to patients accessing healthcare has become a key focus for Bay Radiology.

“Equity of access to healthcare for people living in regional New Zealand is an issue that concerns all healthcare providers, so we are proud to be able to provide better access to high-quality imaging locally.

“Our radiologists have a wide range of sub-specialities including musculoskeletal, interventional, breast, body Imaging, oncology, neuroradiology, abdominal, and head and neck imaging. Patients can feel confident knowing that if the need arises, highly specialised expertise is right on their doorstep.”

A phased design enabled some parts of the building to be safely used while other parts were still under construction. Consequently, Bay Radiology started its Pet-CT scanning last September.

This advanced technology played a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, said regional manager Nicola Daisley.

Bay Radiology's 17th Avenue reception area, the warm colour palette and soft materials reference the coastal environment of the Bay of Plenty.

“Since opening in September, our Pet-CT team have delivered diagnostic results for over 100 patients, enabling their lead care specialists to provide the best possible healthcare treatment plans. We are delighted to now be offering a full suite of modalities from one central and easily accessible location, streamlining the diagnostic process for our community,” Daisley said.

RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group chief executive Terry McLaughlin said this new clinic, strategically located in Tauranga, was a significant step in supporting the healthcare needs of the Bay of Plenty community.

“Our 17th Ave clinic is the heart of our Bay Radiology operations, providing patients access to the full suite of medical imaging services in one convenient location. Bay Radiology has been supporting the local community with their healthcare needs for over 30 years,” McLaughlin said.

“We look forward to at least another 30 years of better health outcomes for Bay and Eastern Bay of Plenty residents.”