What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that uses small doses of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to image the body.

Nuclear medicine scans offer a unique way to examine your body’s internal functions. Unlike traditional x-rays, which primarily reveal the body’s internal structures, nuclear medicine tests create images that showcase how your organs are performing.

Nuclear medicine helps medical professionals better understand your body’s processes and detect potential health issues more effectively.

What to expect when receiving nuclear medicine

Receiving nuclear medicine involves using small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiotracers, to create images of your body’s internal functions.

Before the procedure, you may need to change into a hospital gown and remove jewellery. The radiotracer will be administered through injection, pill, or inhalation. It may take minutes to hours to accumulate in the target area.

You will lie on a table during the scan while a gamma camera captures images. Remaining still is essential for clear pictures. After the scan, you can resume normal activities. Your healthcare provider will review the results and discuss any necessary next steps.

How to prepare
Bring the referral your Doctor gave to you.
Bring the referral your Doctor gave to you.
Advise administration staff if you have had relevant imaging outside of St Vincent’s.
Advise administration staff if you have had relevant imaging outside of St Vincent’s.
Remove all jewellery.
Remove all jewellery.
Wear comfortable clothing and leave any valuables at home where possible.
Wear comfortable clothing and leave any valuables at home where possible.
Bring your Medicare card, healthcare card or insurance details as applicable.
Bring your Medicare card, healthcare card or insurance details as applicable.
Accessing your results
Accessing your results

All results can be downloaded electronically by your Doctor.

Billing and Medicare
Billing and Medicare

We offer low out-of-pocket fees that are highly competitive.

For rebatable exams, we bulk bill all pension or health care card holders and full-time tertiary students.

For any billing queries, you can contact our administration team to discuss applicable fees.

Let our team know if you’re pregnant or have any allergies to contrast dyes.
Let our team know if you’re pregnant or have any allergies to contrast dyes.

Make a Booking

Some examinations require specific preparation. Complete our booking form to ensure your visit with us goes smoothly. Once your booking form is received, our team will contact you to confirm an appointment.

Make a Booking
Getting Here

Visit us at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Building B, Basement Level, 55 Victoria Parade Fitzroy, conveniently near public transport and with free parking available.

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Basement, Building B,
55 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy VIC 3065
 
F:
03 9231 1005
We express God's love to those in need through the healing ministry of Jesus.

St Vincent’s Health Australia recognises the Traditional Owners/Custodians of the land on which its many sites are located. We pay our respects to the Elders past and present and welcome all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to our place of care.

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is inclusive, affirmative, and responsive to the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, non-binary and gender diverse, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) identifying staff, consumers, patients, carers, families and chosen families and to those identifying broadly as sexually and gender diverse.

At SVMH, we focus on embodying our values of compassion, justice, integrity and excellence by actively striving for LGBTQIA+ safety and responsiveness with staff and LGBTQIA+ peoples in the care of our service.

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