Photo credit: Erin Thompson MP
Thousands of South Australians will soon have access to advanced cancer scans closer to home, with a new $7.5 million diagnostic imaging service set to open at Flinders Medical Centre in November.
The new public Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) service is expected to support around 3,000 patients each year, providing an important boost to cancer detection and treatment for residents across Adelaide’s southern suburbs.
For many patients, it will mean no longer having to travel across the city to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for vital scans, making an already difficult time a little easier for individuals and their families.
Located within the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, the new facility will be operated by South Australia Medical Imaging (SAMI), offering advanced diagnostic imaging at no cost to patients.
Once fully operational, the service is expected to perform up to 60 scans each week, helping reduce waiting times and allowing more South Australians to receive timely diagnoses and treatment plans.
PET-CT scans are an important tool in cancer care, helping doctors detect cancer, determine how far the disease has spread and make informed decisions about treatment.
The technology can also assist in diagnosing and managing other conditions, including heart disease and neurological disorders.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer said the investment would make a significant difference for patients and their families.
“A cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult moments a person and their family can face, and timely access to diagnostic imaging can make a real difference to treatment and outcomes.”
“This new PET-CT service means thousands of people in Adelaide’s south will be able to access world-class diagnostic care closer to home, reducing travel times and improving access to vital scans at no cost to patients.”
The additional scanning capacity is also expected to create new specialist clinical, technical and support roles, strengthening the healthcare workforce in southern Adelaide.
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Director for Cancer Services Dr Chris Karapetis said having the technology available onsite would benefit patients who previously needed to travel to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
“Not only will this allow patients to spend less time on the road, increased capacity created by an additional service means they will be seen sooner and, if necessary, plan and access their treatment more quickly.”
And the investment at Flinders is just one part of a wider expansion of South Australia’s public cancer imaging services.
A second SAMI-operated public PET-CT service is scheduled to open at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in mid-2027, while the two existing PET-CT scanners at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will be replaced over the next three years.
The expansion also supports the South Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network, launched in 2025 through a $77 million partnership with the Australian Government.
The network aims to improve cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and access to clinical trials, while ensuring patients across metropolitan and regional South Australia have greater access to quality cancer care.
South Australia Medical Imaging Clinical Services Director Associate Professor Marc Agzarian said the additional facilities would allow more patients to access essential scans sooner.
“This investment and service will increase our capacity to see more patients sooner, reduce wait times, and importantly provide the opportunity for patients to access high-quality, patient-centric care closer to home.”
The new PET-CT service at Flinders Medical Centre is scheduled to begin operating in November 2026.
Related
Flinders Medical Centre launches groundbreaking eye clinic in major $498M expansion effort
South Australian medical breakthrough could save millions in costs and protect newborn babies
SA gambling losses hit $1.84 billion as new campaign targets young men
