A new procedure closer to home

May 27, 2026

Latrobe Regional Health has added another day procedure to its suite of services, enabling Gippslanders to receive an Endoscopic Ultrasound closer to home.

Morwell man Daryl Smith was the first patient at LRH to undergo the procedure to investigate ongoing pain he is experiencing after having his gall bladder removed at the start of the year.

It involves inserting a small endoscopic ultrasound down a patient’s oesophagus, allowing doctors to examine the lining of their digestive tract and nearby organs, like the pancreas, liver and gallbladder.

LRH interventional endoscopist Dr Ben Reynauld said the device would be used to take small samples from patients to examine under a microscope.

“This procedure is very safe,” Dr Reynauld said.

“Daryl had a previous episode of liver infection but nothing was found in CT or MRI scans. So, we are looking to see of there are any stones or strictures in the bile duct that could lead to infection.”

Previously, patients would have to travel to either Frankston or Clayton to receive an Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Daryl said he was happy to be able to have this done at LRH instead of having to travel for hours to a more metro-based health service.

“It’s great for me and others in Gippsland to have this done here as it saves travel and that is a bonus,” he said.