Riverina's first PET/CT scanner arrives at Wagga's I-MED Radiology Calvary Hospital clinic

The PET/CT scanner is being installed at I-MED Radiology's Calvary Hospital clinic, where the machine will play a vital role in the early detection and ongoing monitoring and management of cancer.

Before its installation, patients in the Riverina had to travel as far as Canberra, Albury and even Melbourne for treatment.

Radiologist Nick Stephenson said the scanner's arrival made for a "happy day".

"For those patients that are local to Wagga, they will no longer have to travel so much further afield for their PET scans," he said.

"Particularly with the Riverina cancer centre right next door, patients won't have to go through the stress of travelling more than a street away."

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The versatile machine would see I-MED's capabilities grow in more ways than one, according to Dr Stephenson.

"This machine has technology which allows for both CT and PET scans to be done at the same time, and they can also be co-reported so they don't require separate studies," he said.

"We'll be doing FDG PET scans which are the most common form, but also PSMA scans for prostate cancer, and down the track, there will be scope to expand to some other more niche areas of PET scanning."

Dr Stephenson said the piece of equipment will complete the clinic's toolkit, now offering a wide range of scans from x-rays of simple fractures to the new PET scan's cancerous tissue detection.

"In terms of big equipment, this without a doubt completes what we have to offer," he said.

Member for Wagga Joe McGirr welcomed the scanner as it was unloaded into the clinic on Monday morning, and said the advancement put the city on par with national treatment standards.

"This really makes the cancer treatment options here equal to anything Australia-wide, and certainly regionally so I think that's something to be very proud of," he said.

Both private and public patients will be able to access the scanner, despite being located within a private hospital.

"I raised the issue of access in Parliament with the minister, and they are working on an agreement to ensure it is accessible to everyone, and I am following that very closely," Dr McGirr said.

"It's so important to see all patients able to access this vital piece of equipment."

The PET/CT scanner will be officially opened on December 18, with the first patients to be scanned just before Christmas.