North Canterbury Xray

X-ray Service

General Medical X-ray

NCX undertakes all general medical X-rays referred by your GP / Specialist or other qualified health professional utilising the very latest equipment and highly trained staff to meet your needs –

from a fractured little finger through to a full skeletal examination.

Normal Patient Procedure to Obtain an X-ray

Consultation with your Doctor or health provider is first required- for safety reasons  you cannot just ‘decide to have an X-ray'.

Visit your own Doctor, Specialist or other Health Professional to obtain a 'referral' to have an X-ray performed. 

Your own Doctor will determine what X-ray you require and either provide you with a paper  X-ray Referral form or , more usually, refer you electronically.

Immigration X-ray

North Canterbury X-ray belongs to a select group of medical providers (the Onshore Panel Physicians network) carefully vetted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). We are the only agency certified to perform Immigration X-rays in Rangiora.

We are closely aligned with Medical Corner Doctors, in the same building, who have similar INZ certification.

How to book your Immigration X-Ray:

First book with the examining doctor- Medical Corner Doctors locally- for  your full immigration medical examination. Call 03 3137877 to  book in at 237 High Street, Rangiora . 

We liaise closely with Medical Corner Doctors  for processing Immigration applications. They automatically send to NCX your electronic X-ray referral and we usually will take your X-rays the same day, closely following your medical examination.  

Once you have secured your doctor’s appointment, feel free to give us a call at NCX, 03 3132369, to confirm that we have you booked for the  X-ray immediately after your examination.

The patient pays the full cost of any Immigration X-rays- see our fees page for the up-to-date charge. 

Record Storage

After your examination, your X-ray and associated report are stored securely, electronically. Only authorised people can access the information systems which hold all the images, Radiologists' reports and other sensitive data related to patients. (See Privacy and Security policies).

Fees / Funding Options (see our fees page too)

Your Doctor will discuss with you the fees for the various  treatment options below:

• ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation)

  If you have an injury that is being treated by your Doctor under an ACC claim, then NCX is usually also able to provide your X-ray under ACC. The cost is largely paid for by ACC but the patient pays a small surcharge at the time of examination. ( NCX aims to charge you the smallest surcharge in North Canterbury  - with reduced charges for children and CSC card-holders). You must provide your ACC claim number when registering at NCX.

• Community Referred Radiology (CRR)

  CRR is fully funded through Health NZ (formerly the Canterbury District Health Board) - so is 'free' to you. Your GP will determine whether you qualify for your X-ray under this funding scheme. There may be a waiting time of up to 6 weeks for your appointment at NCX – this time period is controlled by your GP and HealthNZ Canterbury.

• Private

  Your Doctor will advise you as to whether the best option for you is to be seen privately at NCX. If so, the patient pays the full cost of treatment.  Private Medical Insurance schemes may cover the full or part cost of the x-ray exam or none at all, depending on the policy type you have and your circumstances - you are advised to speak to your own insurance provider for further clarification.   NCX will provide you with a full and detailed receipt.

  NCX is an Affiliate Provider for Southern Cross.

• Immigration x-ray

  The patient pays the full cost of any Immigration X-rays.

Booking an Appointment

If your Doctor has given you an X-ray Referral form for you to arrange to have done, you may then contact NCX directly to book a convenient appointment, often the same or next day if required – please call by phone or drop in to see our receptionist to arrange an appointment in person. Your Doctor / Clinic may help you arrange an appointment. For CRR ( free) referrals, NCX will message you when the waiting period allows. 

For cases deemed urgent by your Doctor, a more immediately appointment may be arranged at NCX.

NCX offers appointments from 9.15 am through to near 4.45 pm, Monday to Friday (excepting Statutory holidays).

Your Visit to NCX

• We normally run to time so we appreciate that you please arrive at the clinic in good time.

• Please bring any  relevant paper-work (for example; appointment letter, X-ray Referral form, valid ACC claim form [if applicable]). Our reception staff will complete your registration, carefully checking all your personal details and the examination required.

• The Duty MIT will receive you into the changing area and X-ray room and provide a gown if necessary. Your X-ray may take less than 10 minutes or up to 45 minutes.

Re-visiting your Doctor / Referrer

Your X-ray 'picture' is available electronically immediately to your Doctor and a full report arrives with your Doctor within 24 hours. In urgent cases, a report is made available within the hour. You must re-visit your Doctor to obtain your results and, if appropriate, receive any further medical treatment. NCX cannot usually provide results directly to you, as the information may need to be fully analysed ,considered and imparted by your Medical Practitioner. 

Urgent Medical Treatment in Your Own Community

Your local Doctor and Health NZ ( formerly Canterbury District Health Board)  working with NCX, can normally prioritise urgent cases. Your Doctor determines whether your treatment is urgent.  We may be able to provide an almost immediate service.  We aim to treat patients within our own community - nearer to home and family - without the need for visiting a Christchurch clinic or hospital.