Nuclear Medicine (NM) is a medical specialty concerned with assessing the function of different parts of your body to help diagnose or treat disease. NM tests are done by giving you a radioactive medicine, known as a radiotracer, by drink or injection. These radiotracers produce radiation in the form of gamma-rays (which are similar to X-rays) which is detected by our scanners.

Trained professionals known as Nuclear Medicine Technologists, will use a special scanner called a gamma camera to measure the radiation coming from the radioactive medicine in your body. The radiation detected is converted into images or other information to help us understand how a specific part of your body is working.

Apart from imaging, your Doctor may also refer you to the Nuclear Medicine department to receive specialised treatment for a variety of diseases. A Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist, who are specialist doctors, will report your procedure or scan and provide advice to your doctor.

The radiation dose you receive depends on the scan you are referred for. Usually, this is a controlled and safe amount of radiation where benefits of the test will outweigh any potential risks to you.

If you might be pregnant or breastfeeding, you must let the imaging staff or your treating doctor know. For any other concerns, you can also reach out to our friendly team for advice.

Preparation for Nuclear Medicine scans can vary each time you attend. Our team will contact you within the week leading up to your appointment to confirm preparation instructions.
If you cannot attend, please let us know 1-day beforehand so we can reschedule or cancel your appointment. This is important as our team orders the radioactive medicine specifically for you and your appointment and can’t keep or reuse this medicine at short notice.

If there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, you must let your doctor and the imaging staff know before your test.

Please contact the Imaging team on (03) 8405 9600 for further information.

Each time you attend a Medical Imaging appointment, please bring the following items.

• Medicare card
• Health Care Card (if you have one)
• Private Health Insurance card (if you want to use it)
• List of medications you currently take (including those without a prescription)
• X-ray films, scans or other relevant test results
• Concession Card (if applicable)
• Adverse Drug Reaction Card (if you have one)