A new MRI machine now operational at Wyong Hospital means these Medicare-funded scanning services are available at the hospital for the first time.
The Federal Government has made good on its pre-election promise to make sure Wyong Hospital patients can get a Medicare rebate for MRI scans.
Having onsite MRI services at Wyong Hospital will reduce the need for patients to be transferred to Gosford Hospital or a private provider for diagnostic imaging, enabling treatments to commence sooner and faster diagnosis.
The new MRI machine will complement the additional CT scanner, X-ray machine and ultrasound rooms which were included in the newly expanded Wyong Hospital medical imaging department as part of the $200M redevelopment, funded by the State Government.
Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the Central Coast Local Health District was looking forward to an expanded Imaging Team to support patient’s medical Imaging needs at Wyong Hospital.
“A senior radiographer has already commenced and has been working on the commissioning of the new machine, including work to calibrate and test the machine,” he said.
“Recruitment is now underway for another radiographer, a radiologist to perform the reporting for the new service, a nurse to supervise the use of IV contrast used during the scans, an administration officer to facilitate the bookings and a Patient Service Assistant (PSA) to transfer patients to the machine from their hospital ward.
“These important roles are all new positions for Wyong Hospital, and we are looking forward to having them on board,” Crouch said.
The design phase for the final stage of the refurbishment of the existing hospital building is underway, with works expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Sue Murray