Brisbane Radiology, Dr Jacqui Milne, steps up to address diagnostic breast cancer shortages

A women’s health service is taking action to combat severe radiologist shortages and massive wait times in regional Qld by offering fast diagnostic services.

Brisbane radiology steps up to address diagnostic breast cancer shortages. Pics Adam Head

Far North Queensland women can book “same-day” appointments for breast cancer diagnostic mammograms in Brisbane, as a practice offers subsidised flights to combat month-long delays.

Diagnostic delays have stretched to four months after one of only two private providers servicing Cairns to The Cape suspended its mammographic services in November 2024.

It’s understood the closure was due to not being able to secure a permanent radiologist specialising in women’s imaging.

The news follows the Cairns Post Critical Condition campaign which last week, calling on state and federal governments to help reinstate the crucial service.

Breast radiologist Dr Jacqui Milne said Brisbane Radiology was shocked to hear the news, and wanted to help.

“We’re here to help, no woman should face a delay that could be life-threatening,” she said.

Dr Jacqui Milne from Brisbane Radiology is offering a short term solution by flying women to Brisbane with subsidised flights. Pics Adam Head

The clinic, in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane wants woman in the Far North to know they have options.

As the only practice in Brisbane with a Spectral CT and exclusive 3T MRI sequence, they are offering “same-day” appointments to women who face long wait times for urgent diagnostic appointments.

“Women’s health matters, it really does and that’s what we are passionate about, these women’s lives matter to us,” Dr Milne said.

A pathologist inspects an X-ray for signs of breast cancer. File photo. Picture: Supplied.

“We have appointments available immediately,” Dr Milne said.

“Some women may only need a few hours to get their diagnostics done and they can fly back home the same day.”

The specialist said typically women come in for an ultrasound and mammogram and if something needed to be biopsied, an additional appointment would be made.

“With our system we can do it all in one day and get them back home to their family the same day,” Dr Milne said.

Doctor using ultrasound scanner performing examination of breast for her patient. Picture: iStock.

The clinic has also some funds available for those who can’t afford travel to Brisbane for care.

“We’ve set up charitable funds to help women who are symptomatic and in urgent need of imaging, get to Brisbane and get the care they need,” Dr Milne said.

These funds are aimed at helping women who are facing financial difficulties and may not be able to afford travel or for private care.

“We want to ensure women are not left waiting for critical diagnostic services,” she said.

“We can also potentially get regional women home the same day, saving them from having to stay overnight and incur additional costs, especially for those who have to organise child care or accommodation.”

With their focus on accessibility, Brisbane Radiology said the structure they offer is an example of how smaller, doctor-owned practices can make a significant difference in women’s health outcomes. Pics Adam Head

The charity fund is only available through doctor referrals and not self-referrals.

“It’s there to help women who genuinely can’t access the services they need and we want to make sure they get the help they deserve,” Dr Milne said.

Dr Milne believes Medicare needs to change how it makes them more sustainable.

Part of the issue is the low Medicare reimbursements and a lack of financial incentive for corporates to invest in the labour-intensive area of breast health.

“It’s a huge challenge,” she said.

It is understood breast imaging requires more time and resources which the Medicare rebate simply doesn’t reflect, along with disparities in reimbursement rates.

“If your a corporate company, you’re not going to want to invest in breast imaging because it just doesn’t have the return the other modalities do,” she said.

“A breast ultrasound might take 45 minutes and yields an $85 rebate, while a quicker, less labour-intensive scan could earn a higher rebate.”

Dr Milne said the structure was an example of how smaller, doctor-owned practices could make a significant difference in women’s health outcomes.

“This really isn’t just about us, we just couldn’t stay silent, it’s about the women who are slipping through the cracks of the system,” Dr Milne said.

“We would encourage anyone needed an urgent appointment to reach out to our clinic, let us see how we can help you.

“It’s not about how much money we make—it’s about the women we help.”

To find out more reach out to Brisbane Radiology at [e-mail], or call [phone].

Originally published as Brisbane Radiology, Dr Jacqui Milne, steps up to address diagnostic breast cancer shortages