GE Healthcare’s Gamma Camera, the latest in nuclear medicine technology, has been installed at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, making it the first dedicated children’s hospital in Australia to offer potentially life-changing digital nuclear medicine technology.
The Gamma Camera will be used to evaluate, diagnose, and assess the response to therapy of a range of illnesses.
While this vital imaging tool allows for very specialised diagnostics, Theo Kitsos, Deputy Chief Nuclear Medicine Scientist at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, said it also has the potential to benefit the patient’s experience by reducing scanning times and radiation doses.
“We’re excited to be the first children’s hospital in Australia installing the Gamma Camera – the very latest in scanning technology.”
“Not only is it faster and more efficient than previous generation gamma cameras, the quality of the exams is also consistently higher, which can help detect, diagnose and monitor the effect of treatment in cancers and other medical conditions.”
In addition to the innovative technology, the department’s examination room is being redesigned, with the help of Child Life Therapist, Lisa Carnovale, to provide a bright, comfortable, and child-friendly space for kids to be scanned.
“We have used the many years of paediatric experience to work towards designing a room that will be very child friendly, helping to reduce the stress and anxiety some children can feel during this time.”
Nicola Stokes, CEO of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation said, “This advancement will no doubt revolutionise patient experience and places the hospital as a global leader in nuclear medicine technology. It's only through the generosity and support of the community that we can continue transforming the landscape of children's healthcare and go all in for kids’ health, always.”
SCHF was able to make this upgrade possible thanks to Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation’s generous $1.4 million donation.
By donating to SCHF, you could help fund life-saving equipment, training and education, and state-of-the-art facilities.
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