When Your GP Says, “You’ll Need a Scan”: Why a New Carseldine Imaging Clinic Matters

Most people don’t give much thought to diagnostic imaging until the day their doctor says, “I’d like you to have a scan.”

For Sarah*, what began as persistent shoulder pain after a weekend of gardening ended with a referral from her GP. The doctor suspected more than a simple strain and recommended an X-ray, with the possibility of an MRI if further investigation was needed.

Like many patients, Sarah’s questions came almost immediately. Where do I go? How long will I have to wait? Will Medicare cover it? And if I need more than one type of scan, will I have to travel to different clinics?

Sarah’s experience is far from unusual. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than 10 million Australians—almost two in five people—received over 27 million Medicare-subsidised diagnostic imaging services in 2022–23, highlighting the important role imaging plays in diagnosing injuries, illnesses and ongoing health conditions.

For many patients, the clinic isn’t somewhere they ever expect to visit—it’s somewhere they hope they’ll never need. But when that referral does arrive, having quality diagnostic imaging available close to home can make an already stressful experience a little easier.

Now, residents across Brisbane’s north have another local option, with RRD Imaging opening a comprehensive diagnostic imaging clinic at The Village Carseldine.

More Than Just a Scan

Diagnostic imaging often provides the missing piece of the puzzle between symptoms and treatment.

Whether it’s investigating persistent pain, confirming a fracture, assessing a sporting injury, screening for breast cancer, monitoring bone health or examining internal organs, imaging helps doctors make informed decisions about what should happen next.

While patients often think of “getting a scan” as a single appointment, the reality can be more complicated. Depending on what’s being investigated, a doctor may require different types of imaging, each designed to answer different clinical questions.

One Referral, One Location

For Sarah, the possibility of needing both an X-ray and an MRI raised another concern.

Would she need to visit multiple providers?

It’s a situation many patients encounter. Depending on the provider, not every imaging service is available at every location. More specialised examinations such as MRI, bone density (DEXA), mammography or dental cone beam CT (CBCT) may require appointments at different facilities.

The new Carseldine clinic brings these services together under one roof, offering MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, mammography, bone density scanning, orthopantomogram (OPG), CBCT, lung cancer screening and selected image-guided procedures.

For patients, that can mean fewer bookings, less travelling between different facilities and a simpler experience when more than one type of examination is required.

“RRD Imaging Carseldine has been purpose-built to provide residents of Brisbane’s northside with access to advanced diagnostic imaging technology comparable to that available in major metropolitan hospitals,” the RRD Imaging Lead Radiologist said.

“Our equipment has been selected to deliver high-quality diagnostic imaging while incorporating features designed to improve patient comfort, reduce scan times and support accurate diagnoses.

“By bringing these services together in a modern, community-based setting, patients and referring practitioners can access high-quality diagnostic care closer to home without the need to travel significant distances.”

Faster Answers Can Mean Faster Treatment

For many patients, the most difficult part isn’t the scan itself—it’s waiting.

Delays in diagnostic imaging can delay diagnosis and, in turn, treatment planning, particularly when doctors are trying to determine what’s causing a patient’s symptoms.

RRD Imaging’s Lead Radiologist points out that timely access had been a key consideration in designing the new clinic.

“We understand that timely access to diagnostic imaging is critical for patient care. Delays in imaging can result in delays to diagnosis and treatment.

“For this reason, our goal is to offer same-day or next-day appointments for most examinations wherever possible, helping to minimise wait times and enabling referring practitioners to make treatment decisions sooner.”

According to RRD Imaging, routine examination reports are generally provided to referring doctors within 24 to 48 hours, while urgent examinations may be prioritised and reported within two to four hours where clinically appropriate. Critical findings are also communicated directly to the referring practitioner when immediate attention is required.

Affordable Access Close to Home

Cost is another question many patients ask after receiving a referral.

Affordability is also a priority.

“At RRD Imaging, we are committed to making high-quality diagnostic imaging accessible, affordable and convenient for the community. We will bulk bill the vast majority of Medicare-eligible examinations where clinically appropriate.”

For services that do attract a gap payment, patients can generally expect out-of-pocket costs of around $20 to $150, depending on the examination, with fee information provided upfront before appointments so there are no surprises.

Another Piece of the Healthcare Puzzle

Sarah’s story is fictional, but the journey is one many people will recognise.

Whether it’s a child who falls off a bike, an athlete recovering from injury, someone attending a routine breast screen or pre-natal imaging, or an older person investigating osteoporosis, diagnostic imaging is often the next step after a visit to the doctor.

As Brisbane’s northern suburbs continue to grow, so too does the need for healthcare services closer to where people live. The arrival of a comprehensive imaging clinic in Carseldine adds another option for local patients and referring doctors—bringing a broad range of imaging services, same-day or next-day appointments for many examinations where possible, bulk billing for the vast majority of Medicare-eligible examinations where clinically appropriate, and the convenience of having multiple diagnostic services available under one roof.

Planning Your Visit

RRD Imaging Carseldine

RRD Imaging’s Carseldine clinic offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic imaging services, including:

  • MRI
  • CT
  • Ultrasound
  • X-ray
  • Mammography
  • Echocardiogram
  • Bone Density (DEXA)
  • Orthopantomogram (OPG)
  • Cone Beam CT (CBCT)
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Image-guided procedures

Patients can also expect:

  • Same-day or next-day appointments for many examinations where possible
  • Modern diagnostic imaging equipment
  • An experienced imaging team
  • Bulk billing for the vast majority of Medicare-eligible examinations where clinically appropriate
  • Digital referrals accepted
  • Online appointment bookings
  • WorkCover, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and a wide range of insurance referrals accepted
  • Community-focused care close to home

RRD Imaging Carseldine officially opens on 1 July at Level 1, The Village, 520 Beams Road.

Published 29-June-2026

Sarah is a fictional patient whose story has been created to illustrate a common healthcare journey. This article contains information and imagery supplied by the clinic. RRD Imaging is a Proud Promotional Partner of Brisbane Suburbs Online News.

Visit Paradise! Head Out to Eden Gardens in Carseldine

Once you walk into Eden Gardens, you’ll begin to understand how it got its name. This lush nursery, located in Carseldine, is a paradise for budding horticulturalists amidst the busy Gympie and Beams Roads.

Eden Gardens offers heaps of plants native to Australia and there’s a wide variety to choose from — bedding plants, shrubbery, herbs, vegetable plants, fruit trees, and indoor decorative greens, among others.

The garden store carries a huge selection of garden tools and supplies, homeware gift items, rugs, and some arts and crafts. The helpful staff and florists also dish out valuable gardening advice, especially for those just learning to grow their garden.  

Photo Credit: Edens Garden/Facebook

Their Carseldine site is the second Eden Gardens location. The other location is on Lane Cove Road in Macquarie Park NSW.  



Brunch at the Greenery

Eden Gardens is more than just a green thumb’s haven. There is also a popular specialty restaurant called Dragonfly Cafe in its gorgeous surroundings. On weekends, the place is packed with people having brunch and shopping for plants. Actually though, you don’t have to love gardening to enjoy the healthy and delicious food that the cafe has to offer.

Dragonfly Cafe serves modern Australian meals with its seasonal menu. The choices are ample enough and cater to different dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free), including meals for kids. The servings are generous and bountiful that you might have leftovers to bring home when you’re too full to finish your plate.

Photo Credit: Edens Garden/Facebook
Photo Credit: Edens Garden/Facebook

Some of the ingredients for preparing fritters, bruschetta, salads and garden bowls are most definitely plucked from the garden. Hence, you can enjoy the farm-to-table freshness of your orders. 

Breakfast is served between 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. whilst lunch is from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 



Gardening Workshops

If you’re really serious about nurturing your green thumb, Eden Gardens has several workshops every month. Below are its classes for January:

DATETIMECLASS
4 Jan 2020
11 Jan 2020
18 Jan 2020
26 Jan 2020
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Kokedama Workshop
5 Jan 2020
12 Jan 2020
19 Jan 2020
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Terrarium Workshop
11 Jan 202011:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Native Plant Talks
12 Jan 20202:00 to 3:30 p.m.Kids Terrarium Workshop
18 Jan 202012:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.Gardening Talks

Refer to its Events Page on Facebook for succeeding workshops. For cafe table reservations, store inquiries and workshop bookings phone 07 3863 9500. 

Photo Credit: Edens Garden/Facebook

“Wow I cannot believe I have never visited here before now. Been in Brissy for nearly 13 years!!! Beautiful scenery. Lots of Water Dragons around. Eels in the water. Nice food just a little pricey and surcharge on weekends.”

~ Suzanne Phillips, Google Reviews

“This place has taken it to a whole new level since the last time I visited. Better menu with awesome food, nicer drinks and presentation. The breakfast dishes are fresh with a more innovative take on traditional breakfast options. It’s so nice sitting next to the rail overlooking the pond and have a stroll through the nursery after the meal.”

~ Kathryn Oudendyk-Jung, Zomato 

“Being in the middle of a nursery overlooking a small lake is just the beginning. We each had a light salad with lots of flavor and a variety of ingredients. They were served by attentive and friendly waitstaff. Water dragons are an added bonus! Licensed, as well as good coffee and cakes.”

~ Lee G, Trip Advisor