ABOVE AND BEYOND
A new radiology clinic in the Mount is mixing cutting-edge technology with old-school values of compassion and kindness. Dr Phil Clark talks us through Beyond Radiology’s approach to healthcare.
PHOTOS DEBORAH DE GRAAF
There was a time when medical imaging was something that happened largely behind the scenes. You saw your doctor, got a referral, had the scan and waited for the results. Today, expectations are very different.
As diagnostic technology has become more sophisticated, imaging has become an increasingly important part of how injuries and illnesses are investigated, diagnosed and treated. In a region growing as quickly as the Bay of Plenty, demand for those services is growing too.
It’s a changing landscape that sits at the heart of Beyond Radiology, a New Zealand-owned, clinician-led Radiology practice that has recently opened its first clinic in Mount Maunganui.
Leading the clinical team is chief medical officer Phil Clark, a radiologist with experience across both the public and private sectors in New Zealand and Australia. For Phil, the focus is firmly on bringing clinical expertise, advanced technology and a more personal approach to the patient experience.
That philosophy is evident at Beyond Radiology’s new clinic at Owens Place, where the latest advanced equipment has been installed, offering a wide array of X-ray, ultrasound and MRI scans, as well as ultrasound-guided injections.
“We live and breathe the mantra of going above and beyond every single day, with a quality, patient-focused, clinician-led service,” says Phil. “We treat all patients with the same dignity and respect all the way through. Irrespective of their background, every patient is treated equally.”
With times tough for many people, Beyond Radiology has made the decision not to charge a surcharge on ACC X-rays, ultrasound scans or ultrasound-guided procedures, helping keep essential imaging accessible to the wider community.
The technology matters too. As imaging becomes increasingly sophisticated, the ability to see fine detail and provide clinicians with clearer answers is transforming the way injuries and illnesses are investigated and treated. At Mount Maunganui, that technology is backed by a team of highly trained and experienced professionals.
Although the machines may be state-of-the-art, the philosophy behind Beyond Radiology is refreshingly straightforward. Patients should be treated with kindness, care, dignity and respect, whatever their background.
It’s a particularly relevant approach in the Bay of Plenty, where rapid population growth is driving increased demand for radiology services and greater access to diagnostic imaging.
“We’re really excited about being here,” says Phil, “and about the difference we can make for patients.” With its first Bay of Plenty clinic now open, Beyond Radiology has the opportunity to bring a combination of advanced imaging, clinical expertise and patient-focused care to a growing community – and to make the journey through medical imaging just a little easier along the way.