LNP approves a Medicare-subsidised MRI licence for Redcliffe Hospital

Patients in Brisbane’s North will now be able to access lifesaving scans for cancer, stroke, heart and other medical conditions with approval of an MRI licence for Redcliffe Hospital.

PATIENTS in Brisbane’s North will now be able to access lifesaving scans for cancer, stroke, heart and other medical conditions with the Federal Government approving a new MRI licence for Redcliffe Hospital.

Tuesday’s announcement is a major step towards ending the political back and forth between the LNP and Labor over the granting of an MRI licence at Redcliffe.

Both sides tried using the drawn-out saga for political pointscoring which ultimately forced the hand of State Health Minister Steven Miles to apply late last year for a licence.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth, under pressure from Labor candidate for Petrie Corrine Mulholland, said on a number of occasions that if Mr Miles lodged the application, then he would make sure it was approved.

That promise was fulfilled on Tuesday when Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt stopped by to make the announcement alongside Mr Howarth.

Federal LNP Health Minister Greg Hunt with Member for Petrie Luke Howarth at Redcliffe Hospital to announce the approval of an MRI licence. Picture: Alan Quinney

Mr Howarth said it was a big win for locals.

“Having the MRI machine located in the hospital will free up frontline services, such as nurses and ambulance staff who are required to accompany patients to the MRI which is currently available off-site,” he said.

The ball is now back in the State Government’s court as it is now required to buy an actual MRI machine and provide a specially designed room at the hospital in which to put it.

Once up and running, the machine is expected to provide about 5900 services each year and reduce medical costs and travel time for patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common soft tissue scan often used to diagnose and monitor medical conditions including cancer and trauma or sporting injuries.

Labor candidate for Petrie said claimed the annoucement as her “first political win the announcement was a win for the hundreds of local residents who signed Labor’s MRI petition forcing Luke Howarth to act.

Federal Labor candidate for Petrie Corinne Mulholland claimed the announcement as her first political win of the federal election campaign.

“Five months ago, Labor launched a community campaign calling on this federal government to deliver a Medicare-funded MRI licence for the Redcliffe Hospital,” she said.

“We’ve been fighting for this federal licence since August on behalf of the 2600 patients every year that go to the Redcliffe Hospital needing an MRI scan and go without because our local hospital doesn’t have a federally funded MRI licence.”

Ms Mulholland said the announcement was a win for the hundreds of local residents who signed Labor’s MRI petition forcing Luke Howarth to act.

Mr Hunt said the government had delivered record funding for essential services such as Medicare, public hospitals and lifesaving medicines.

“Not only will our new Medicare support ensure patients get better treatment and save money, it will also cut down the amount of time patients travel to get a scan,” he said.

”We have also committed to reduce the cost for patients by indexing targeted diagnostic imaging services including mammography, fluoroscopy, CT scans and interventional procedures.”