❓ Mr Watson inquires about the impact of privatisation on radiology services at Albany Health Campus. The Minister's response indicates improved services and expanded bulk billing, though the criteria for bulk billing are determined by the private provider.
AnsweredQoN 1313Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In reference to radiology services at Albany Health Campus, can the Minister please advise: (a) is the provision of radiology services the same now as before they were privatised, and if not, please provide details on how do they differ; and (b) is Medicare bulk billing available for any patients, and if so what is the criteria?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 November 2013
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
21 days
(a) The range of radiology services at Albany Health Campus remains the same as before Great Southern Radiology was awarded the contract to provide public imaging services at the Campus.
The private contractor, Great Southern Radiology (GSR), has indicated that the following changes have occurred in the public and private service located at Albany Health Campus:
· Opening hours have expanded for community outpatients from 08301630 hours weekdays to 07001800 hours weekdays and 08301200 hours on Saturday.
· All imaging is now fully digital - previously plain film analogue or Computer Radiography
(CR).
· The CT Scanner is 128 slice with full low dose capacity. Any form of imaging including coronary angiography can be performed. Previously the CT Scanner was a first generation 16 slice with limited imaging capability and no low dose capability.
· Increase in the number of accessible ultrasound machines available from 2 to 4 machines as well as a portable machine for use in theatres or the wards.
· The mammography machine is fully digitalised compared to the previous analogue/CR machine. There is a full diagnostic and therapeutic interventional service.
· There are now 3 highly experienced radiologists employed by GSR including a MRI specialist - previously 1 FTE contracted by the health service.
· There is 1 fully functional Radiology Information System (RIS) / Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) environment within the Great Southern with images and reports retrievable within seconds irrespective of data imaging. Previously images were stored manually or on CD.
· All imaging within the health campus can be viewed on high resolution viewing screens at multiple sites including Emergency Department, wards, specialist rooms, clinics and theatre. Previously all films had to be processed and transported to requester. The reports are now available online.
(b) Medicare bulk billing is available for private outpatient services. The private provider determines the criteria.
GSR has advised that bulk billing is made available routinely for pensioner and health care card holders, minors under 16 years of age, specific referrer requests and cases where patients are required to undergo repeated imaging, such as cancer patients.
The private contractor, Great Southern Radiology (GSR), has indicated that the following changes have occurred in the public and private service located at Albany Health Campus:
· Opening hours have expanded for community outpatients from 08301630 hours weekdays to 07001800 hours weekdays and 08301200 hours on Saturday.
· All imaging is now fully digital - previously plain film analogue or Computer Radiography
(CR).
· The CT Scanner is 128 slice with full low dose capacity. Any form of imaging including coronary angiography can be performed. Previously the CT Scanner was a first generation 16 slice with limited imaging capability and no low dose capability.
· Increase in the number of accessible ultrasound machines available from 2 to 4 machines as well as a portable machine for use in theatres or the wards.
· The mammography machine is fully digitalised compared to the previous analogue/CR machine. There is a full diagnostic and therapeutic interventional service.
· There are now 3 highly experienced radiologists employed by GSR including a MRI specialist - previously 1 FTE contracted by the health service.
· There is 1 fully functional Radiology Information System (RIS) / Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) environment within the Great Southern with images and reports retrievable within seconds irrespective of data imaging. Previously images were stored manually or on CD.
· All imaging within the health campus can be viewed on high resolution viewing screens at multiple sites including Emergency Department, wards, specialist rooms, clinics and theatre. Previously all films had to be processed and transported to requester. The reports are now available online.
(b) Medicare bulk billing is available for private outpatient services. The private provider determines the criteria.
GSR has advised that bulk billing is made available routinely for pensioner and health care card holders, minors under 16 years of age, specific referrer requests and cases where patients are required to undergo repeated imaging, such as cancer patients.
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