Before qualifying as a GP and joining Westcare Medical Centre in Melton in 2007, Dr Megan Eddy practised as a physiotherapist in Melbourne.
She has a special interest in muscular and skeletal ailments and a new mission: to take advantage of the most accurate diagnostic tool of our times — radiology.
Dr Eddy is being helped by one of Australia’s leading radiologists, Professor Alex Pitman, and his colleagues at Lake Imaging in Melton.
“The working relationships between radiologists and other medical professionals is a close one,” says Professor Pitman. “But little of this behind-the-scenes work is seen by patients, who are often surprised by the speed and user-friendly nature of the latest in radiology.”
Radiologists are doctors specialising in medical diagnosis using digital imaging. They often advise the referring doctor on which form of radiology should be used and discuss the findings with them. “What few patients know is that an MRI will take hundreds of pictures in minutes, each of which must be carefully examined and a report and key images sent to the referring doctor.”
Dr Eddy said major medical services were increasingly being centralised in major centres. “It’s great to see them and a radiologist based in Melton.”
Dr Eddy can now refer patients to Melton’s first MRI facility, rather than to Ballarat or Melbourne and get early appointments and results back in short time. “It makes life easier and less stressful for patients and their families if they don’t have to travel outside their own region.”
Professor Pitman said Lake Imaging had a policy of providing the latest equipment, and the specialists needed to operate them in all its regional centres.
“Regional communities now have local access to diagnostic tools such as MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound and nuclear medicine — each with its own special uses for scanning arteries, the brain, lungs, kidneys, other vital organs, skeletal structures and the whole body.”
Professor Pitman’s formal education includes more than 17 years at universities and in postgraduate medical training. “We are always pleased to exchange knowledge and share our experience with specialists and GPs,” he said. “All sides benefit greatly from this process.”
Lake Imaging, at 103 Unitt Street Melton, opens 8.30am-6pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 8.30am-8pm, Wednesdays; and 9am-1pm, Saturdays.
Inquiries: (03) 9747 4800 or lakeimaging.com.au
