Cobar patients. He has recently invested in a Cart-based Ultrasound unit that will be permanently housed at the Cobar Primary Health Care Centre.
Cobar residents now have access to the latest medical technology after a Cart-based Ultrasound machine was installed this week at the Cobar Primary Health Care Centre.
Visiting radiographer and sonographer, David Treacey, has been coming to Cobar since 2002 to carry out medical imaging.
His first trips were with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and later he travelled from Bourke where he was based and he now makes fortnightly visits from Dubbo where he currently lives.
Mr Treacey recently made the investment in two new Cart-based Ultrasound machines, one for his practice in Dubbo and a second unit which will be permanently based in Cobar.
“It’s the same as you would encounter in any radiology practice anywhere in Australia,” Mr Treacey explained.
He said he decided to upgrade from his mobile, laptop style ultrasound equipment to take advantage of the new technology the Cart-based Ultrasound offers.
“It uses the latest technology, offers better quality and is a more seamless and efficient method of imaging,” Mr Treacey told The Cobar Weekly.
He said the new machine offers enhanced images and will give better colour flow when he does Dopplers.
“It will better visualize more superficial tissues with our musculoskeletal system,” he said.
“So it will essentially do everything at the current level technology and the onerous work flow is reduced.”
Mr Treacey said with AI-enhanced guidance, the reporting side of the new machine will not only save him time (he can input numerous preset items) but it also can immediately print an image on to paper for a patient or referring doctor.
Mr Treacey is thrilled with the capabilities of the new ultrasound saying things had come a long way since he first started medical imaging in 1980.
He said as it was a significant financial investment, this will be at least a five year commitment (maybe longer) for him to continue to visit Cobar.
Mr Treacey works every second Monday and Tuesday in Cobar which may evolve into possibly Wednesdays as well.
“I’m trying to recruit somebody to do some days for me in Dubbo to make it a better level service out here especially now that we have a super system like this.”
Mr Treacey said as he and his wife have bought a house in Cobar, it’s convenient for him to visit Cobar regularly.
“I wouldn’t even mind moving here permanently,” he said.
“I grew up here in the bush and love it here.”
