Wellington Regional Hospital has installed a new SPECT-CT scanner featuring the latest imaging technology, promising faster scans, improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure for patients.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the new scanner replaces an older model and will operate alongside another recently installed unit, giving the hospital two modern SPECT-CT scanners to support patients across the wider Wellington region.
The advanced equipment will be used to diagnose and monitor a broad range of patients, including those undergoing cancer treatment, children requiring specialised imaging, and people needing inpatient care.
SPECT-CT, which stands for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography–Computed Tomography, combines two imaging technologies into a single scan. The nuclear medicine SPECT component shows how organs and tissues are functioning, while the CT scan provides detailed anatomical images.
Clinicians say the combined approach delivers a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the body, supporting earlier disease detection, more accurate diagnoses and improved monitoring of treatment progress.
The project also included a full refurbishment of the scanning room, with design features aimed at improving patient comfort. Soft lighting, scenic wall decals and modern finishes have been added to create a calmer environment, particularly for children and patients undergoing longer scans that can take several hours.
The installation forms part of the Government’s $108 million national upgrade of diagnostic imaging services, which will deliver 32 new and replacement CT, MRI and SPECT-CT scanners across New Zealand.
