❓ The Minister for Health confirms the installation of a new, state-of-the-art MRI scanner at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, highlighting its advanced capabilities and benefits for patients and cost savings for the government.
AnsweredQoN 706Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SIR CHARLES GAIRDNER HOSPITAL — MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCANNER
I understand that Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital now has a new, additional magnetic resonance imaging scanner, which is the first of its kind in Australia. Can the minister give the house more information on this new MRI scanner? Dr K.D. HAMES
I understand that Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital now has a new, additional magnetic resonance imaging scanner, which is the first of its kind in Australia. Can the minister give the house more information on this new MRI scanner? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
Yes, indeed I can. I thank the member for Nedlands for his question. I had the pleasure of going to his electorate last week, accompanied by the shadow Minister for Health, to look at this new MRI scanner. When I was in opposition I was critical of the former minister for the delay in getting the new MRI scanner. Members will recall that there were two MRI scanners and one broke down and that there was a long delay in getting a new one. However, when the reason for the delay was explained to me, I understood it. It has taken us some time to get it on board. It has been worth the wait. The new MRI scanner is valued at $3.5 million and is the absolute state-of-the-art equipment for not only Australia, but also the Southern Hemisphere. The machine has the ability to scan down to very small sizes, such as one to two millimetres. It can actually study small blood vessels within hearts and penetrate deep into organs, particularly pelvic and abdominal organs. It is a great positive step forward in the management of patients in this state. This new machine will process about 4 000 patients a year and it is multitransmit technology, whatever that means. We had it explained to us when we were at the hospital, but it was technologically challenging. However, it is a very impressive machine. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Yes, indeed I can. I thank the member for Nedlands for his question. I had the pleasure of going to his electorate last week, accompanied by the shadow Minister for Health, to look at this new MRI scanner. When I was in opposition I was critical of the former minister for the delay in getting the new MRI scanner. Members will recall that there were two MRI scanners and one broke down and that there was a long delay in getting a new one. However, when the reason for the delay was explained to me, I understood it. It has taken us some time to get it on board. It has been worth the wait. The new MRI scanner is valued at $3.5 million and is the absolute state-of-the-art equipment for not only Australia, but also the Southern Hemisphere. The machine has the ability to scan down to very small sizes, such as one to two millimetres. It can actually study small blood vessels within hearts and penetrate deep into organs, particularly pelvic and abdominal organs. It is a great positive step forward in the management of patients in this state. This new machine will process about 4 000 patients a year and it is multitransmit technology, whatever that means. We had it explained to us when we were at the hospital, but it was technologically challenging. However, it is a very impressive machine. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Yes, indeed I can. I thank the member for Nedlands for his question. I had the pleasure of going to his electorate last week, accompanied by the shadow Minister for Health, to look at this new MRI scanner. When I was in opposition I was critical of the former minister for the delay in getting the new MRI scanner. Members will recall that there were two MRI scanners and one broke down and that there was a long delay in getting a new one. However, when the reason for the delay was explained to me, I understood it. It has taken us some time to get it on board. It has been worth the wait. The new MRI scanner is valued at $3.5 million and is the absolute state-of-the-art equipment for not only Australia, but also the Southern Hemisphere. The machine has the ability to scan down to very small sizes, such as one to two millimetres. It can actually study small blood vessels within hearts and penetrate deep into organs, particularly pelvic and abdominal organs. It is a great positive step forward in the management of patients in this state. This new machine will process about 4 000 patients a year and it is multitransmit technology, whatever that means. We had it explained to us when we were at the hospital, but it was technologically challenging. However, it is a very impressive machine. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Yes, indeed I can. I thank the member for Nedlands for his question. I had the pleasure of going to his electorate last week, accompanied by the shadow Minister for Health, to look at this new MRI scanner. When I was in opposition I was critical of the former minister for the delay in getting the new MRI scanner. Members will recall that there were two MRI scanners and one broke down and that there was a long delay in getting a new one. However, when the reason for the delay was explained to me, I understood it. It has taken us some time to get it on board. It has been worth the wait. The new MRI scanner is valued at $3.5 million and is the absolute state-of-the-art equipment for not only Australia, but also the Southern Hemisphere. The machine has the ability to scan down to very small sizes, such as one to two millimetres. It can actually study small blood vessels within hearts and penetrate deep into organs, particularly pelvic and abdominal organs. It is a great positive step forward in the management of patients in this state. This new machine will process about 4 000 patients a year and it is multitransmit technology, whatever that means. We had it explained to us when we were at the hospital, but it was technologically challenging. However, it is a very impressive machine. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Yes, indeed I can. I thank the member for Nedlands for his question. I had the pleasure of going to his electorate last week, accompanied by the shadow Minister for Health, to look at this new MRI scanner. When I was in opposition I was critical of the former minister for the delay in getting the new MRI scanner. Members will recall that there were two MRI scanners and one broke down and that there was a long delay in getting a new one. However, when the reason for the delay was explained to me, I understood it. It has taken us some time to get it on board. It has been worth the wait. The new MRI scanner is valued at $3.5 million and is the absolute state-of-the-art equipment for not only Australia, but also the Southern Hemisphere. The machine has the ability to scan down to very small sizes, such as one to two millimetres. It can actually study small blood vessels within hearts and penetrate deep into organs, particularly pelvic and abdominal organs. It is a great positive step forward in the management of patients in this state. This new machine will process about 4 000 patients a year and it is multitransmit technology, whatever that means. We had it explained to us when we were at the hospital, but it was technologically challenging. However, it is a very impressive machine. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I missed that interjection. It sounded as though it was a very good interjection, but sadly I did not hear it. It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
It is an amazing new machine. Western Australia is lucky to have such technology. It would be of great news to all Western Australians that now two machines are up and running, which will significantly reduce the load. Also, it will result in a significant saving in costs. Those patients who were unable to gain access to the single MRI machine were being sent off to have their scan done in the private sector and that was being paid for by the government. This new machine will result in savings in that area.
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