Both parties willing to deliver a Medicare MRI licence to Redcliffe Hospital

The state government is not willing to commit to buying an MRI machine for Redcliffe Hospital despite both federal government parties agreeing to provide a Medicare subsidised licence

Politicians are using MRI machines as a political football in the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election.

The state government is not willing to commit to buying an MRI machine for Redcliffe Hospital despite both federal government parties agreeing to provide a Medicare subsidised licence.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth has said he would be happy to secure a licence if the state government bought an MRI machine for Redcliffe Hospital.

The government announced at the weekend it would provide 30 licences.

“I’ll get the licence but there is a process it has to go through,” Mr Howarth said.

He said State Health Minister Steven Miles had until November 2 to submit his application for a licence at Redcliffe Hospital.

As part of the process he will have to show plans to buy an MRI machine for the hospital by April 30, 2019.

“I am confident I can get the licence if they apply by November 2,” Mr Howarth said.

It follows a promise from the Opposition to deliver 20 MRI Medicare Licences.

At the weekend the party announced, if elected, one licence would go to Redcliffe Hospital.

It is on the back of Federal Labor Candidate for Petrie Corinne Mulholland starting a petition for the MRI licence.

Mr Miles would not state if or when the state government would buy a machine.

There is one subsidised machine in Redcliffe but at a private practice.