RIVERLANDERS will soon have access to a “state-of-the-art” MRI facility, with construction beginning on a $3.5 million upgrade to the Riverland General Hospital.
The upgrade, funded by the State Government, includes the construction of a $2 million MRI unit which will house a $1.5 million MRI machine.
Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone welcomed the news that construction works on the facility had commenced.
“This is pleasing news for the Riverland community and, once works are complete, will save residents in the region thousands of trips per year to Adelaide or Mildura,” he said.
“Here in the Riverland we have long faced disadvantages to health services that city residents can take for granted and it is important to understand how tough it can be living in a regional area when needing medical services.
“Our community deserves quality health services and we are committed to delivering increased access to facilities in the Riverland.”
The construction of the unit follows a campaign by the Riverland’s federal representative, Member for Barker Tony Pasin, to secure an MRI Medicare licence for the hospital.
Mr Pasin began a petition in late 2018 to bring an MRI machine to the Riverland General Hospital, with thousands of Riverlanders adding their signatures.
The hospital was granted a licence in March, 2019 as part of a $375 million investment by the Federal Government to provide licences for 50 new locations.
“Well over 4000 people signed my petition for an MRI, both online and in hard copy over a five-week period, which I then presented to the Minister (for Health) in Canberra,” Mr Pasin said.
“It helped prove that there was a strong need for this licence in the Riverland.
“After securing this licence it’s fantastic to know that the State Government are now investing $2 million in a new facility at the Riverland General Hospital to house the new SA Medical Imaging machine.
“Not only will the new Medicare supported MRI service ensure patients get better treatment and save money, it will save countless trips to Adelaide and the associated inconvenience.”
State Health Minister Stephen Wade said the upgrade would ensure that residents living in the Riverland could continue to receive high-quality care closer to home.
“We recognise the importance of boosting regional health services throughout regional South Australia and the upgrades will ensure these communities receive the best possible care, closer to home,” he said.
“These upgrades are essential for the Riverland General Hospital to continue to operate at the highest standards both now and into the future.”
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) CEO Wayne Champion said it was an “exciting time” for people who would benefit from having the “much-needed MRI service” in the Riverland.
“The MRI will not only benefit patients, it will also benefit their families, their employers and the community in general, as people won’t need to travel away from the region to receive this essential service,” he said.
“The unit will include a dedicated suite to house the new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment and control centre, patient waiting and bed bays, in addition to a new nurse’s station and sorting area.
“Patients will benefit from more comprehensive scans, quicker diagnosis and earlier treatment closer to home without the need for long-distance travel.
“The upgrades at the hospital will ensure clinicians are fully equipped with the right tools to make the best decisions for their patients.”
The MRI unit is expected to be completed near the end of the year.