New Plymouth has joined the Mobile Medical schedule, so Taranaki patients with kidney stones can now be treated close to home rather than travelling to Waikato Hospital.
The lithotripsy unit made its first visit to Taranaki Base Hospital on 9 November, treating six patients.
The purpose-built unit is a fully equipped mobile operating theatre with a dedicated lithotripsy machine for treating kidney stones without surgery.
Mobile Health Group Chief Executive Mark Eager says, “Lithotripsy machines are very effective but expensive, and most regions in New Zealand don’t have enough cases to justify buying their own. Sharing one mobile unit around the country means the service can be delivered cost-effectively, and patients can be treated by their own urologist in their own town.”
Mark was onsite in Taranaki for the visit and described Taranaki Base Hospital as “one of the best locations in the country for unit operations.”
“With a dedicated parking space for the unit, the patient flow is great – we are literally just a few steps from the new East Wing Building radiology department,” he says.
Mark adds, “Thank you to the Taranaki team for the warm welcome and all the support that has gone into getting us here and ready for patients. We’re pleased to be working together to provide treatment locally and bring care closer to home.”
After treating local patients, the lithotripsy unit is now on its way to the South Island. Depending on patient need, Taranaki will become a regular stop on the unit’s circuit, with the next visit planned for mid-March 2027.
Photo supplied by Health HZ
From left: Simon Felton, Lead Radiographer, Mobile Medical; Dr Jonathan Albrett, Intensive Care & Anaesthesia Specialist, Taranaki Base Hospital; Lucia Wild, Registered Nurse, Health NZ; Stacey Lovell, Nurse, Mobile Medical; Matt Lawrence, Senior Anaesthetic Technician, Taranaki Base Hospital; Leah Chilcott, Registered Nurse, Health NZ Taranaki; and Dr James Johnston, Urologist, New Plymouth.