Hāwera Hospital X-ray upgrade a success for patients and staff alike

26 July 2023

South Taranaki patients are now reaping the benefits of the recent upgrade of Hāwera Hospital’s radiography department.

With the installation of the new state-of-the art digital radiography system from Siemens now complete, patients no longer need to travel to Taranaki Base Hospital for some types of X-rays says Mrs Sarah Caswell, Te Whatu Ora Radiology Manager in Taranaki. 

“The new ceiling-mounted unit has faster smart image processing and is already making a major difference to the radiology services we can provide.  For example, we’re now able to perform whole standing spine imaging and whole leg length imaging which in the past has needed to be performed at Taranaki Base Hospital,” says Mrs Caswell.

“To top it off, our staff are loving working with the unit because its up-to-the-minute automatic positioning functionality and lighter weight is incredibly easy to manipulate around people and their injuries. It’s a huge improvement from what we were working with.”

The upgrade and the building work required for the installation of the new system began in May and was delivered to schedule.

“Now we’ve had the chance to work with up-to-the-minute radiology technology, we’re even more excited for similar units to be rolled out across other satellite clinics that provide x-ray services (Stratford Health Centre and Waitara Healthcare Centre) around the Maunga over the coming year,” says Mrs Caswell.

Last updated: Monday, July 31, 2023