22 November 2004

NSW Government provides $400,000 for Gosford Hospital MRI

The NSW Minister for Health, Morris Iemma, today visited Gosford to announce funding of $400,000 for inpatient MRI services between now and the end of this financial year.

The announcement comes just a week after the same level of funding was invested in inpatient services for the MRI machine at Wollongong Hospital.

“In the face of Federal Government indifference to the application for Medicare licences, the State Government will fund limited inpatient services so that these machines can be used for accurate diagnosis of emergency and other cases.” Mr Iemma said.

“It is expected the machine at Gosford Hospital will cost $400,000 to operate between now and the end of this financial year.”

Mr Iemma said the State Government decision in no way releases the Federal Government from its obligation to the people of the Central Coast or Wollongong to provide a Medicare licence so maximum use can be made of the machine.

He said the Commonwealth was badly failing to fulfil its responsibilities to work with the States and Territories on the most appropriate allocation of MRI licences.

“The Central Coast is clearly an area of need under the Federal Government’s own criteria for MRI licensing,” Mr Iemma said.

“A Medicare license would allow the machine to be used for outpatient work as well and enable the full benefit of the State Government’s $2.8 million investment in the purchase of the machine to be delivered.”

Mr Iemma said the MRI machine is able to provide soft tissue images of the body or body part that are superior to that of other imaging methods such as CT scanners.

“This machine is much faster than older models and has the capability for whole body imaging. The average MRI examination takes approximately 20 – 30 minutes.”

“Patients in oncology, neurology, neurosurgical, paediatrics and spinal trauma units will benefit from the use of the MRI machines NSW has provided,” said the Minister.

The MRI funding is in addition to the $125 million currently being spent on the Redevelopment of Gosford Hospital and $90 million at Wyong Hospital.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au