The origins of North Coast Radiology can be traced back to 1974 when Dr William (Bill) Turnbull decided to return to his home town and establish his radiology career here in Lismore, in Northern New South Wales. He originally joined the local established practice of Drs Bell and Mutton, but generational differences and practice philosophy soon saw him in practice on his own.
He was fortunate in many ways, not only being locally bred, but his father was also the Chief Radiographer at Lismore Base Hospital. There was also, at this time, an influx of younger doctors, some of whom Bill knew from his training days.
1974 The practice opened on 1 July 1974. Maureen Stephenson was the first receptionist; she later became a radiographer. Bill’s mother also worked at the practice carrying out reception duties. The practice was situated upstairs on the corner of Molesworth and Magellan Streets, then AGR’s building, now known as Nesbitt House.
1975 Dr Peter Meyer joined Bill. The practice grew and new equipment was purchased. Bill always believed that you bought the best and latest you could afford, and this philosophy has stayed with the practice ever since.
1978 saw the first branch established in Canterbury Street Casino at the request of several doctors in the town in particular, Dr Castagna still practising in Casino, and the late Dr Adrian Boyd.
1979 was marked by the arrival of Dr Warwick Herbert fresh from two years radiology in London, and a background in Diagnostic Ultrasound – then a relatively new discipline. The practice had a new modality.
1980 The major turning point for the practice came on 31 January 1980 when the AGR’s building burned to the ground; the practice was destroyed. The three radiologists and several staff held a meeting later that night, and decided they would start again. However,
Bill decided he would move on. He subsequently bought a practice in Inverell, so he could pursue his passion for stud beef cattle. To the great credit of all concerned – staff, engineers, equipment suppliers, tradespeople and the Lismore community – a new facility was operating only ten days after the fire.
The old name of the practice was changed to Killclare Radiology, to reflect our new address at 16 Keen Street, Lismore. Later, as the practice opened other branches at other sites, the name was changed to North Coast Radiology.
2012 Saw the upgrade of Nuclear Medicine and Women’s Imaging and resulting in the move away from our long-term home in Keen St. Nuclear Medicine was moved to a specialist suite in St Vincents Orion St did not have the infrastructure to support the weight of 2 SPEC CT’s.
This also saw Women’s Imaging specialist rooms set up in St Vincents dedicated to the Diagnostic imaging requirements of our female population covering Mammography, Ultrasound, Bone Densitometry and predominantly staffed by our own female staff.
2013 MRI services introduced in Grafton
2014 The growth of MRI Services has seen the expansion of this technology to incorporate Ballina delivering a key additional service to the local community.
2017 North Coast Radiology Group partnered with Quadrant Private Equity, Qscan and X Radiology. Integration of our experience and technology will ensure we continue to provide superior Radiology Services for our Patients and Referrers. Significant enhancements have been made across the branches with the installation of a Digital Xray Machine in Casino and upgrading Mammogram to Hologic 3D Tomosynthesis in Grafton, Lismore and Ballina.
