Goulburn Base Hospital MRI service wins federal budget funding

Mr Taylor announced on Wednesday that Goulburn would share in a $66 million allocation to deregulate and expand medical imaging services in regional, rural and remote areas from November 1.

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Goulburn resident Richard Cudaj campaigns for MRI service at hospital

"It means the MRI service in Goulburn will be Medicare funded and attract the rebate," he said.

"This is very significant because it means it's an attractive place to put an MRI, so we fully expect now to get one, and it will be fully funded. So if you get an MRI for a tumour, infection or a brain injury now you'll be able to claim it on Medicare.

"...This is something I've been working on for some time because I felt people in the regions shouldn't have to travel to get an MRI, which is now such an essential part of providing health services. I personally crusaded for this outcome and I expect the state government, which already has a room marked out for it, will be able to get a machine in there."

Goulburn and district people frequently travel to Canberra, Bowral, Sydney and elsewhere for MRIs. This is despite recent completion of Goulburn Base Hospital's new $165 million clinical services building.

The community has been campaigning for several years for the equipment.

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Last year the state government allocated an extra $15m for the hospital, part of which would go to an MRI service and CT scanner. Although a room had been constructed for the service, the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) was mainly depending on a Medicare licence to progress the project.

On Tuesday, a SNSWLHD spokesperson said the procurement process for the machine had started.

"The funding will now give them confidence to lock in the purchase," she said.

"It will give the green light to get things going. The money is locked in for the machine's purchase but it needed a sustainable revenue stream (for any operator)."

She expected the process to speed up as a result. The Post has sought clarification on whether the Health District would seek to fast track the MRI licence before November 1.

Goulburn man Richard Cudaj has campaigned for the MRI service. Last year he travelled to Canberra, Nowra and Bowral for five MRI scans after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has since had the tumour removed but has had to travel to Canberra for additional scans.

Mr Cudaj welcomed the federal funding but said there was still no certainty around a timeframe. He had tried to meet again with Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman but claimed he had "fobbed off."

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"The MRI has been missing in action and we should be making a big deal about it. I'd like to get it out there before the election so people don't vote for these politicians if we don't get the service," he said.

Mr Cudaj also called for a person to be trained to deliver the service at Goulburn Base.

"My point is that if a person in Goulburn has a heart attack and needs an MRI to check the extent of damage, a trip to Canberra could be detrimental to recovery," he said.

"If we have a machine here we could possibly save lives."

Mrs Tuckerman said she was "elated" by the federal announcement.

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She has previously met with Mr Cudaj and started a petition to secure state funding for the machine, which was announced in last year's budget.

"An MRI it something that our community has desperately needed for many years," Mrs Tuckerman said ina statement.

"I thank the Member for Hume, Angus Taylor for his advocacy to the Federal Minister for Health and his support. I look forward to the Local Health District now purchasing the MRI and delivering for our community."

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