ACCESS AND PRODUCTIVITY OUTCOMES WITH RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY IN WESTERN SYDNEY Outcomes despite insufficient indexation, Government funding and workforce shortages
With
Leon Berkovich, CEO
GE HealthCare Australia and New Zealand
Dr Mansoor Parker
Diagnostic & Interventional Radiologist & Founding Partner,
Quantum Radiology, Sydney
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | November 2025
In Western Sydney, there is currently significant growth accompanied by a notable need for cardiovascular support due to the prevalence of related diseases. It is estimated that the population in this area will reach 6 million by 2041.
With this population growth, there is also a pressing shortage of healthcare professionals in Australia, particularly in the field of radiology, where there are not enough radiographers, sonographers, MRI technicians, and nuclear medicine technicians.
Previously, conducting complex imaging studies required the expertise of highly experienced technicians. Nonetheless, advancements in technology have enabled businesses to invest in new CT scanning technologies, from organisations such as GE HealthCare, making available the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
According to Dr. Mansoor Parker, a Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist in Western Sydney and Founder of Quantum Radiology, the technology can produce consistent, high-quality studies that do not solely rely on the skill of the technician.
Dr. Parker spoke to Australian Health Journal about the unique nature of Western Sydney as a cultural melting pot that has historically suffered from a lack of high-quality healthcare. His motivation for establishing radiology practices in this area stemmed from his own experiences of limited access to imaging services, especially MRI and interventional procedures.
He notes that the challenges faced by the population often go beyond mere accessibility, including language barriers and the need for culturally sensitive care that respects privacy while delivering high standards of healthcare.
According to Leon Berkovich, CEO of GE HealthCare Australia & New Zealand, GE HealthCare has excelled in obtaining AI patents within the imaging sector, demonstrating significant technological adoption in Australia—a mature market where clinicians are eager to integrate the latest technology across all areas. The growth in Western Sydney continues to highlight the urgent need for cardiovascular imaging services, and demographic projections indicate robust population increases.
Source: Adapted from transcript
-
CASE STUDY: Creating awareness, workforce education & dissemination strategy in national screening
At the recent Screening Conference 2025 in Sydney, hosted by Public Health Association, Dr Rachael Dodd, Senior Research Fellow at The Daffodil Centre, spoke about the information and educational resources created to increase awareness in the healthcare workforce and community on the upcoming Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program commencing in July 2025.
-
Thyroid health into pregnancy
‘Without an adequate amount of thyroid hormone mothers can be exposed to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia or eclampsia, which affect around 10% of pregnant women and are the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide. Mothers who suffer from hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are at increased risk of long-term cardiovascular consequences and hypertensive disorders in subsequent pregnancies. Evidence also indicates a risk of reduced cognitive ability to their offspring.
‘Knowing if you are genetically predisposed to Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Diseases, which are both thyroid autoimmune disorders is important to be aware of, to ensure all appropriate tests are ordered. Autoimmune disorders may predispose mothers to a thyroid problem during pregnancy’, says Professor Creswell Eastman, who also serves as the ATF’s Principal Medical Advisor.
-
Handling modern day diets and misinformation as a HCP
Laureate Professor Clare Collins AO in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, emphasises the need for accurate and reliable nutrition information to reach the public. Prof Collins believes that it is vital for clinicians to stay up-to-date with cutting-edge nutrition science and work with communication organisations to disseminate information to the general public. This is particularly important as social media is full of both reliable and unreliable information on dietary patterns, such as veganism.
