Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, unaware of critical cancer diagnostic closure in Cairns

The state’s health minister said he was not aware why a service provided by Queensland X-Ray closed in Cairns last year, ballooning mammogram wait times to four months.

Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, unaware of critical cancer diagnostic closure in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

The state’s health minister said he was not aware why a service provided by Queensland X-Ray closed in Cairns last year, ballooning diagnostic mammogram wait times to four months.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Cairns, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls incorrectly said “full services” were available at Cairns Hospital.

The hospital does not have any mammography equipment or offer breast diagnostic services.

It’s understood the Cairns Hospital has one MRI machine, which is not used for breast scans.

“I’m not aware of the reasons why Queensland X-Ray closed and have not yet reopened, but I would understand if it was due to a resourcing issue,” Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Nicholls also said the lack of services in Cairns was a “failure of the primary health” network to provide radiologists services.

Private radiology provider Queensland X-Ray “temporarily” closed its breast screening service in November 2024, leaving I-MED Radiology on Sheridan Street as the only screening facility serving Cairns to the Cape.

“This is a failure of the primary health network, what happens with Queensland X-Ray is not something within the control of the Queensland government,” he said.

Health minister Tim Nicholls said there is a shortage of radiologists across the state of Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

A spokesperson from the hospital previously said it outsourced diagnostic breast imaging services to private providers.

“Historically, CHHHS has not managed diagnostic breast imaging services; these have been outsourced to private providers to balance the demand on our imaging services for inpatient and emergency diagnostic needs,” the spokesman said.

In a statement earlier this month, a hospital spokesman said Queensland X-Ray had kept them “well updated” about the temporary closure.

“We are in constant communication with all of the region’s private imaging services about their capacity and service challenges in the face of a global shortage of radiographers,” he said.

Mr Nicholls added a new $1m mobile screening van, based in Townsville, would also drive to other regional areas for breast screening including Cairns.

The service is not suitable for women under the age of 40 or women with breast cancer symptoms.

Mr Nicholls said there was a shortage of radiologists across the state.

“This is part of our workforce plan heading into the election … have a workforce plan for regional Queensland and that includes radiologists,” he said.

Originally published as Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, unaware of critical cancer diagnostic closure in Cairns