MRI machine has been ordered for Redcliffe Hospital

The State Government has revealed how long residents will have to wait before the promised MRI machine will be available at a busy southeast Queensland hospital.

Redcliffe Hospital should have an operational MRI Machine by the end of 2020. Picture: iStock

REDCLIFFE Hospital’s first MRI machine and new CT scanner are not expected to be operational until the end of next year.

Federal Labor candidate for Petrie Corinne Mulholland started the battle to secure a Medicare Subsidised MRI licence for Redcliffe Hospital, last year, in the lead up to the Federal Election.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth announced in January the State Government’s application for the licence had been successful.

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Mr Howarth said it was “disappointing” the State Government was yet to deliver the MRI machine.

“Every additional day that this machine is delayed local residents who are unwell are being forced to spend time travelling for MRIs,” he said.

A Redcliffe Hospital spokesman said work had started to have the MRI machine and a new CT scanner installed by the end of next year.

The State Government has promised $16 million towards the project, which also includes a second CT scanner and the upgraded medical imaging department required for the MRI machine.

The spokesman said the extension to the medical imaging facility would be built next to the hospital’s emergency department.

“This extension will accommodate both the new MRI machine and the hospital’s second CT scanner,” he said. “The procurement process for the new equipment has been undertaken with contracts in place for the CT and MRI equipment to arrive in Australia in time for them to be installed and operational by the end of next year.”

The Federal Government promised to fund a $10 million upgrade to the hospital’s emergency department, to create a paediatric section.

The spokesman said a project agreement between the State and Federal governments for the emergency upgrade was being finalised. Work has also started on the hospital’s new multistorey carpark, due to open in 2020.