State Government to purchase MRI machine for Redcliffe Hospital

Patients at a busy hospital north of Brisbane will no longer have to catch a taxi or ambulance to get an MRI scan.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Yvette D'Ath, Corinne Mulholland and Steven Miles at the Redcliffe Hospital. Photo Erin Smith

Patients at a busy hospital north of Brisbane will no longer have to catch a taxi to get an MRI scan.

The State Government today announced it would set aside $10 million to purchase an MRI machine for Redcliffe Hospital.

Currently patients at the hospital requiring a scan and sent in a taxi, or ambulance and transported to a nearby private facility for scans.

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State Health Minister Steven Miles applied for the licence through the Federal Government.

Part of the application process required the State Government to prove it intended to purchase a machine.

It was awarded earlier this year, after a lobbying campaign from Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth.

“Last year I promised I’d secure a Medicare licence for a MRI machine at the Redcliffe Hospital if the State Government delivered the machine - It’s been almost 12 months, but it’s good to see the State Government have finally come on board,” Mr Howarth said.

“(The) announcement is a great win for our local community, patients will finally have immediate access to an MRI machine in the Redcliffe Hospital.”

“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 an off-site MRI machine.”

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

Minister for Health Steven Miles said the machine would receive a full Medicare-eligible licence.

“Thanks to the hard work and advocacy of Labor Candidate for Petrie Corinne Mulholland, a

Medicare MRI licence has been committed for Redcliffe Hospital,” Mr Miles said.

“A licence makes the running of an MRI machine at Redcliffe Hospital significantly more affordable. Without a licence, today’s announcement would not have been possible.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Mr Miles and Member for State Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath made the announcement at Redcliffe Hospital today.

The $10 million will be used to purchase the machine and upgrade the medical imaging department.

“Patients at Redcliffe Hospital will now be able to access vital MRI scans,” Mrs Palaszczuk said.

“Currently patients requiring MRIs have to travel offsite to a private imaging facility or another hospital, such as Caboolture.

“A new machine at the hospital, means patients can get the care they need close to home.”

During 2017-18, a total of 2,900 patients were required to travel offsite (either independently, supported or via ambulance) for MRI services, including 700 inpatients and 2,200 outpatients.

Mrs D’Ath said Redcliffe Hospital was experiencing high demand due to a rapidly growing population.

“Our local area is booming, and we have an ageing population. Having an MRI machine at Redcliffe Hospital will make the world of difference to people in our community,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The upgrade will include expanding the current Medical Imaging Department to enable the

installation of the MRI machine.

“Medical imaging machines like MRIs require purpose-built infrastructure to operate safely.

The new MRI machine will be operational by the end of next year.