KEY POINTS:
A neurological centre of excellence to help care for people suffering strokes, bad backs and other neuro-injuries opens in Auckland tomorrow.
Trinity MRI is being opened by Maurice Moriarty and Ayton Hope, two experienced neuro-radiologists who have worked at Auckland Hospital.
The $4 million-plus facility will focus on brain, spine and neuro-vascular imaging and is reportedly the first of its kind in New Zealand.
"Our initiative for starting Trinity MRI came out of a desire to offer patients state-of-the-art scanning technology in a respectful and private environment," the doctors said.
Trinity MRI includes a 3T scanner, one of four in New Zealand, which is capable of generating higher resolution images in shorter scan times.
Dr Hope and Dr Moriarty said a neurological excellence centre was important given a population which was growing and increasing in average age.
"Vascular disease and associated brain symptoms, including strokes, will undoubtedly increase in prevalence with the population getting older," Dr Moriarty said.
"In addition, there are now strong pressures on employers and employees to diagnose and treat low back pain - a common cause of incapacity - as early as possible.
"Combine these factors with an educated population which has ever-increasing access to information and it seems highly likely that the field of diagnostic MR imaging will continue to grow."
- NZPA
