Shire residents needing to undergo a CT scan no longer have to travel to Orange or Dubbo following installation of the latest state-of-the-art equipment at Parkes Diagnostic Imaging.
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The Toshiba Aquilion 160 slice CT scanner reduces radiation dose by 75 per cent while providing fast and accurate imaging.
This in turn allows for precision diagnosis by radiologists and then quicker treatment.
Kurt Thomson (Practice Manager) oversaw the installation of the new equipment at Parkes Diagnostic Imaging.
“Unfortunately we had to close CT for a week while the old machine was taken out and the new $1million dollar scanner installed and made operational,” Kurt said.
“Now we are up and operating, patients are ensured of faster scanning times and quicker examinations.
“This is particularly beneficial to those with respiratory issues.”
Installation of the latest equipment in Parkes follows that which has occurred at diagnostic imaging centres in Cowra, Young and Inverell.
“These types of machines are a real boost to rural medicine and particularly now to Parkes and district residents,” Kurt said.
“Patients can secure their CT bookings promptly and undertaken with the same if not better imaging than other towns.
“Not having to travel to Dubbo or Orange will save patients time and money,” Kurt said.
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Kurt Thomson is a local who was born and raised in Parkes, has travelled the world and now returned a highly qualified and experienced radiographer.
Educated at Middleton Public and Parkes High schools, Kurt studied Medical Imaging (Radiography) at Charles Sturt University Wagga.
After graduating, he lived and worked in Sydney where during the winter months he’d escape to the Kosciusko snowfields where he developed a love of snowboarding.
This led him to gaining work at medical centres in the ski fields during the Australian winters, and in Canada and the USA during their peak snow seasons.
“For four and a half years, I experienced the best of both worlds, working and honing my snowboarding skills,” Kurt said.
He then moved to London to use as a base for touring and exploring Europe.
Again it was the snowfields and snowboarding that were the main drawcards, with other areas of Europe thrown in for good measure.
Kurt furthered his medical training at the UK’s number one private hospital – London Bridge Hospital – working in CT/Cardiac Catheterisation and MRI.
Last year, after more than 10-years abroad, he decided to return home to spend more time with his parents, Lilian and Graham, and brothers Troy, Trent and Jeromie, and their families.
He successfully applied for and was appointed Practice Manager at Parkes Diagnostic Imaging in Clarinda Street.
It was the expertise learnt in London that qualified him to install as well as now operate the CT scanner.
“I’m really enjoying being back home and the simple country way of life away from the city chaos and the London weather,” Kurt said.
