General News
2 June, 2026
Milestone for health services
IN what is believed to be a first in rural health services in Queensland, Atherton’s Rural Medical Imaging (RMI) practice has had a magnetic resonance imaging machine delivered to its new practice on Mabel Street, scheduled to open in July.
The MRI machine will have a profound impact on Tablelands residents, who currently travel to Cairns and other major cities to have an MRI performed, often waiting weeks for an appointment.
MRI scans produce very clear images to view soft tissues, including muscles, brain and spinal cord, internal organs and blood vessels.
“These detailed images allow doctors to identify tumours, see sports injuries, inflammation, and identify any early disease changes which may not be as obvious on CTs, Xrays or ultrasounds,” RMI spokesperson Kieron Norris said.
The State Government has previously released data which revealed demand for scans in the region over the past two years had risen by 49%, increasing pressure on Cairns services and the regional communities that rely on them.
“RMI is committed to providing quality imaging services to all our rural communities, our referring doctors, and the allied health professionals,” Mr Norris said.
“Our new MRI is made by GE and is a 3T Sigma, a very modern state-of-the-art machine.”
MRIs operate by using magnetic fields and radio waves to generate high-quality images inside the body; as opposed to Xray and CTs, which use radiation to create images.
“Since there is no risk of radiation exposure, MRIs are much safer for children and pregnant women,” Mr Norris explained.
“Now that the MRI is delivered, work will begin in preparing the suite where it will be used.
“And there’s a bit to do. We have to build a faraday cage all around it, which is essential to exclude any exterior radio frequency signals that could impact the quality of the images.
“Even the doors and the operator windows are specially constructed to ensure maximum quality images and that the magnetic resonance field will not impact nearby metallic objects.”
It’s the final step in RMI’s expansion project, which began in 2024.
The company, which has been operating in Atherton for 12 years, had outgrown its current premises at 30 Mabel Street, and bought the site at 55 Mabel Street.
The new purpose-built centre – at almost 600sqm under roof – allowed the company to bring in an MRI, and, at a later date, a CT machine, Mr Norris said.
“Also, in response to the demand for ultrasound services, we have increased the number of rooms from two to three, and we’re hoping to attract a GP practice or other medical service, including Pathology collection.
“Attracting doctors to practice from our new site means we will be able to offer a full range of services. This would include using contrast where needed for CT and MRI and may even include steroid injections using ultrasound.”
Mr Norris said RMI was committed to bulk billing all eligible patients where possible.
“Our aim is to get patients in for their procedure without delay.”
Waiting times would be no more than a few days, and the same day for urgent requests.
RMI will continue medical imaging at its current address from 8.30am to 4.40pm Monday to Friday, until the new premises is completed in July.
