Tests can usually be performed in an outpatient radiology department taking no more than an hour.

It will be a first for the region and will represent a “huge investment for our local community”, a clinic spokesperson said.

Clinical manager Prue Lamerton, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the field in New Zealand and overseas and who has pushed for such services in Hawke’s Bay, said: “This clinic marks a moment of transformation for the Hawke’s Bay region.

“By providing PET-CT and SPECT-CT images locally, we eliminate the need for patients to travel long distances, allowing them to receive advanced care right here, close to their loved ones. Access to essential diagnostics at home supports better health outcomes, especially in rural communities.

“With the addition of these molecular imaging tools, we are not only expanding local healthcare options, but also introducing personalized treatment options for complex cancers,” Lamerton said. “The availability of such resources in Hawke’s Bay empowers patients and improves the quality of care they receive. »

PET-CT is an essential tool in the diagnosis and management of many cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, lymphomas, breast, colon and prostate cancer, and SPECT-CT plays a role enormous in functional imaging of various organs such as the heart, bones and thyroid.

Additionally, the new purpose-built clinic will offer personalized treatment service (theranostics, therapy and diagnostics) for various conditions including prostate and neuroendocrine cancers.

Lamerto played a crucial role in the development and design of the clinic, which will have an official blessing on Monday and an official opening ceremony later in the month.

Since moving to Hawke’s Bay, Lamerton has championed the cause of bringing a much-needed service to the region and improving access to treatment.

The clinic was designed with a focus on the unique needs of patients, drawing inspiration from the local landscape and the moment in a design ensuring a warm and welcoming environment.

Lamerton and clinic director Michelle Dibley worked with Ngāti Kahungunu to name the clinic building and each therapy room as part of a commitment to te ao Māori.

Doug Laing is a Napier-based senior reporter at Hawke’s Bay Today and has 51 years of journalism experience, 40 of which have been in Hawke’s Bay, gathering information including breaking news, sports, local events, issues and personalities.