The efficacy of PET in the diagnosis, staging and assessment of treatment response in oncology patients has been demonstrated by many authors worldwide. There has been significant growth in the number of dedicated PET and PET/CT scanners installed and in clinical use worldwide over the past two years, increasing the availability of the modality to patients.

A retrospective analysis of the geographical origin of over 2000 patients who underwent a PET study with Hunter New England Imaging (HNEI) over the period of June 2006 to November 2008 was performed. These results were then analysed and compared to a per capita and per square kilometre analysis of 26 countries and other Area Health Services within NSW.

Direct Federal Budget funding in 2008 has allowed HNEI to purchase a PET/CT scanner, to be installed in June 2009. The addition of this second scanner may provide the opportunity to increase the availability of PET to patients within Hunter New England Area Health Service.