Cook candidate Simon Kennedy calls on government to allow outpatients to use Sutherland Hospital MRI machine
The man hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is calling on the federal government to cut the “bureaucracy” and allow outpatients to use a new MRI machine in Sutherland Hospital.
NSW
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The man hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is calling on the federal government to cut the “bureaucracy” and allow outpatients to use a new MRI machine in Sutherland Hospital.
A $7m MRI machine was installed at Sutherland Hospital in 2023 but the federal health department has not granted a license to allow residents in the community to use it for scans and be bulk billed under Medicare.
Cook candidate Simon Kennedy said the need for the license had been raised by residents and a doctor while he was doing community engagement on the campaign trail ahead of the by-election – trigged by Mr Morrison’s retirement from politics – on Saturday.
Mr Kennedy has called on Health Minister Mark Butler to “step up” for the residents of Cook and fund an MRI machine license.
He said outpatients had been sent to St George Hospital to get scans rather than being able to attend the hospital in the Shire.
“If you are admitted, you can use it but if you have the same complaint but not admitted you can’t use it. It seems like bureaucracy gone mad,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Sutherland Hospital has been declined for the license, which is not good enough for Cook and it’s not good enough the local residents who campaigned so hard to get it, to now have it not available to them as outpatients.
“We have an MRI machine and locals are being denied the opportunity to use it because of bureaucracy.”
Mr Kennedy said the federal Labor Government had not granted a license since the machine was installed.
“The issue demonstrates that I’ve been listening and the government has not,” he said. “It is common sense. Residents don’t feel the federal Labor government is listening.”
A South Eastern Local Health District spokesman said the state government invested $7m to provide a new MRI facility at Sutherland Hospital as part of the government’s $88.5 million redevelopment of the operating theatre complex.
“The Sutherland Hospital made an application for an MRI Licence in 2018 which was rejected in 2019,” the spokesman said.
The license application was discussed and applied for prior to the announcement a MRI machine would be provided – with local MPs supporting a lengthy community-led campaign which gained 5000 signatures.
The application was denied while Mr Morrison was the Prime Minister and Cook MP.
“In 2022, the Commonwealth Government made changes to the processes for the provision of MRI licences, which prioritised regional and remote areas where there is the greatest need for these services in the absence of private providers,” the spokesman said.
A Department of Health and Aged Care spokesman said since November 2022, the federal government had increased the number of Medicare eligible MRI machines in NSW from 135 to 158.
“This immediate investment in MRI has focused on regional, rural, and remote areas across of Australia. There has been no recent open process to expand MRI machines in metropolitan areas,” he said.
“Through the National Health Reform Agreement, the Australian Government provides a significant funding contribution to assist states and territories with the costs of delivering public hospital services, including the provision of free MRI services to public patients.
“The NHRA recognises that state and territory governments are responsible for their public hospital systems including their day-to-day administration. This includes the planning, purchase, and installation of capital equipment, such as MRI machines.
“The NSW government is the appropriate funding source for any MRI services at its public hospitals. Public hospitals do not require Medicare eligibility to provide MRI services to their public hospital patients at no out-of-pocket cost.”
The spokesman said “should a future opportunity arise for MRI expansion in metropolitan areas, the department will engage with the sector”.
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Originally published as Cook candidate Simon Kennedy calls on government to allow outpatients to use Sutherland Hospital MRI machine
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