X-RAY
The discovery of x-rays by William Roentgen in 1895 was one of the greatest breakthroughs in medical history.
X-ray is a quick, easy exam that produces images of the structures inside your body using a small amount of radiation that passes through the body to capture a single image of your anatomy to assess injury (fractures or dislocations) or disease (bone degeneration, infections or tumours).
At Taranaki Radiology we use the latest digital x-ray technology to create and store your x-ray images. Your referrer can access your digital x-rays and scans through our secure online image archive system.
Request for an appointment
Taranaki Radiology offers x-ray services on a walk-in or appointment basis at the following locations:
- 95 On Vivian Medical Hub – 95 Vivian Street, New Plymouth
- Stratford Health Centre – Romeo Street, Stratford
X-ray exams are used for numerous reasons, including:
- Injury – Fractures (broken bones)
- Arthritis
- Lung conditions
- Infection
- Foreign bodies
- Osteoporosis
- Back pain
- New Zealand Immigration Chest X-Rays (95 On Vivian Clinic only)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
When your referrer asks you to get an x-ray, it’s usually for one of the following reasons:
- To examine an area where you are experiencing discomfort or pain
- To monitor how a disease is progressing, like osteoporosis
- To check up on how a prescribed treatment is working
X-ray uses a small amount of radiation to generate the image it creates. The clinical benefits of medical imaging typically outweigh the potential risks of radiation exposure, but talk with your referrer or our technologists if you have any concerns.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- If we have received a referral for you we will give you a call to arrange an appointment; we offer a walk in service so if you have your x-ray referral form you can simply attend at your convenience.
- Be sure to tell us if you are breast feeding, or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
- Most x-rays won’t require any special preparation on your part.
- When you arrive you will be welcomed and checked in.
- Depending on the area to be examined you may need to get changed into a gown for your examination; some jewellery may also need to be removed. You will be able to leave your clothes and belongings securely in the changing room.
- The technologist will position you in the x-ray machine for the area of the body being imaged. Depending on what area of the body that needs to be studied, they may ask you to sit, lie down or stand in several positions during the examination.
- The technologist will ask you to stay as still as possible, as motion can blur the images.
- The technologist will go behind a partial wall with a viewing window to be able to take the x-ray.
- When your x-ray examination is complete, as required you will be escorted back to the changing room so you can change out of the gown and back into your clothing.
- Your appointment is complete.
- After the examination, your images will be sent electronically to our radiologist who will review the information and send a radiology report to your referrer.
- You should follow up with your referrer to discuss your results.
X-RAY FAQs
What is an X-Ray?
X-ray images are created using a machine that sends x-ray particles through the body. The x-ray particles themselves are called photons, and they allow a specialised digital plate and computer to capture the images that are created.
Dense bodily structures, like bone or metal, can prevent most x-ray particles from traveling through them. On the x-ray image, this causes these structures to look white. If a structure contains air, it will appear black on the image created. Muscles, fat, and fluids appear in various grey shades.
How long does an X-ray take?
An x-ray is a relatively quick and painless procedure that usually takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. However, the amount of time an x-ray takes could be longer depending on a few variables, including the number of parts of the body that need to be examined and the patient’s ability to move around, their general health and their age.
During most x-rays, the area of your body being examined will have to be viewed from different angles in order to get the information your referrer needs to make an accurate diagnosis. This requirement means you may be asked to move into different positions, which may be more difficult for patients with mobility issues and for those in poor health.
Are X-Rays safe?
X-ray images enable doctors to look inside your body to diagnose injury or illness. Different body tissues block the x-ray beams by varying degrees, allowing a useful diagnostic picture to be taken. When clinically warranted, the benefits of having an x-ray examination outweigh any harm from a small dose of radiation. During a person’s lifetime the effect of each radiation dose accumulates. Your referrer will weigh up the overall benefit against any negative health impact before performing an x-ray. If you have any concerns about the amount of radiation you’ve been exposed you should discuss this with your referrer.
If you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant be sure to tell your referrer before having an x-ray examination. Also advise Taranaki Radiology staff before having your x-ray. The risk to a developing child is of concern, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. If your referrer believes the benefits of the test outweigh any risk, then an x-ray can be performed when you are pregnant. If the area of interest is not your abdomen or pelvis, a lead gown will be placed over your abdomen to reduce the risk to the foetus.
Is there a co-payment for ACC funded x-rays?
Taranaki Radiology does not charge an ACC co-payment for imaging examinations performed Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Indicative Pricing
This is a selection of commonly requested x-rays.- Shoulder X-Ray $125.00
- Hand/wrist X-Ray $120.00
- Chest X-Ray $151.00
- Spine (per region) $125.00
- Pelvis/hip X-Ray $125.00
- These prices are estimates only and are subject to change at any time. For accurate pricing quotes, please contact us.
Service Location: 3 Locations
95 On Vivian | Medical Hub
95 Vivian Street, New Plymouth
9am-5:30pm weekdays (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Phone 06 759 4317 extension 709
South Taranaki
Stratford Health Centre
Corner of Miranda and Romeo Streets, Stratford
Monday 1pm-5pm, Wednesday 8.30am-12.30pm, Friday 8:30am-12.30pm
Phone 06 759 4317 extension 710