And by removing the intimate part of a prostate check - as far as men are concerned - the $2.5 million device is worth every penny.

According to Canberra Imaging Group's chairman and radiologist, Raymond Kuan, the previous way of checking a person's prostate through MRI involved an invasive coil inserted in their rectum.

''When we used the coil we actually dilated it up to get a tight fit, so it was more intrusive.

''It pushed up right against the prostate, squashing the tissue, and while it's the only way to do it confidently, it actually diminishes the look of the prostate,'' he said on Friday.

The new machine, coil free, not only provides better images but allows the patient greater comfort according to Dr Kuan.

Health Minister Katy Gallagher spoke at the launch at Calvary John James Hospital about the importance of private and public healthcare working together.

''[Canberra Imaging Group] it's so well established and so highly regarded here and is a key partner for us in delivering high- quality health services to the ACT.''

The machine, which doubles the magnetic frequency of other MRIs in use, many of which are as much as eight years old, allows for a clearer resolution scan, according to CIG chief executive Peter Mundey.

''It enables us to do much higher quality imaging. Higher resolution means we are able to do breast MRIs, which we've never been able to do before,'' he said.

The accuracy of the new machine was outstanding, Mr Mundey said.

''By enabling breast imaging it does have a 98 per cent sensitivity … far greater than any other imaging modalities.''

While not all services enable a rebate to patients, the machine's partial Medicare licence does cover certain scans.

According to CIG, referrals for children under 16 for Medicare-funded MRIs can be made by GPs instead of a specialist.