❓ Hon Norman Moore questions the Minister for Health regarding the timeline for establishing MRI machines at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Fremantle Hospital, and Bunbury, focusing on funding and Commonwealth approval. The Minister's response highlights the Commonwealth's role and lack of support for additional licenses in WA.
AnsweredQoN 229Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) When did the Minister first request additional funding for the purpose of operating an MRI machine at PMH?
(2) When did the Minister finally obtain approval for such additional funding?
(3) When does the Minister expect the MRI machine to be operating at PMH?
(4) When does the Minister plan to establish an MRI machine at Fremantle Hospital?
(5) When does the Minister plan to establish an MRI machine in Bunbury?
(2) When did the Minister finally obtain approval for such additional funding?
(3) When does the Minister expect the MRI machine to be operating at PMH?
(4) When does the Minister plan to establish an MRI machine at Fremantle Hospital?
(5) When does the Minister plan to establish an MRI machine in Bunbury?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 November 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
21 days
1.
The Commonwealth Government contributes to operating costs for MRI services through licensing MRI scanners. The effect of licensing is that services delivered using a licensed scanner are eligible to attract a Medicare rebate.
The Commonwealth Government's Magnetic Resonance Imaging Review, chaired by Professor John Blandford, presented its report in March 2000. The report identified the southern region of WA as an area where additional licences should be issued for MRI scanners.
Following the Blandford review, the Commonwealth established an MRI Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG) to further develop and implement the Review's recommendations. Despite the review having identified southern WA as an area of need, the MEG decided there was no region in Western Australia that could be considered a priority. The Commonwealth then excluded Western Australia from a tender process to issue additional licences for MRI scanners.
The Minister wrote to the Commonwealth Health Minister, Dr Wooldridge, in June 2001 urging the Commonwealth to reconsider its decision to exclude Western Australia from the tender process.
In subsequent correspondence in December 2001, the Minister specifically highlighted the need for a licensed scanner at Princess Margaret Hospital.
2.
The Commonwealth has not agreed to license an MRI scanner at Princess Margaret Hospital, and therefore at this stage will not be contributing to the operating costs for the scanner. However, the Commonwealth will be contributing $500 000 towards the capital cost of the scanner.
3.
March / April 2003
4.
When the Commonwealth Government issues a Medicare licence.
5.
There is currently a private MRI facility established in Bunbury.
The Commonwealth Government contributes to operating costs for MRI services through licensing MRI scanners. The effect of licensing is that services delivered using a licensed scanner are eligible to attract a Medicare rebate.
The Commonwealth Government's Magnetic Resonance Imaging Review, chaired by Professor John Blandford, presented its report in March 2000. The report identified the southern region of WA as an area where additional licences should be issued for MRI scanners.
Following the Blandford review, the Commonwealth established an MRI Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG) to further develop and implement the Review's recommendations. Despite the review having identified southern WA as an area of need, the MEG decided there was no region in Western Australia that could be considered a priority. The Commonwealth then excluded Western Australia from a tender process to issue additional licences for MRI scanners.
The Minister wrote to the Commonwealth Health Minister, Dr Wooldridge, in June 2001 urging the Commonwealth to reconsider its decision to exclude Western Australia from the tender process.
In subsequent correspondence in December 2001, the Minister specifically highlighted the need for a licensed scanner at Princess Margaret Hospital.
2.
The Commonwealth has not agreed to license an MRI scanner at Princess Margaret Hospital, and therefore at this stage will not be contributing to the operating costs for the scanner. However, the Commonwealth will be contributing $500 000 towards the capital cost of the scanner.
3.
March / April 2003
4.
When the Commonwealth Government issues a Medicare licence.
5.
There is currently a private MRI facility established in Bunbury.
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