Albany health campus MRI magnet to be craned in this weekend

A 4.

A 4.5 tonne magnet will be lifted 35m above Albany Health Campus this Sunday morning to begin the final phase of the installation of the MRI machine.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the magnet would be lifted from a truck and lowered into the hospital, where it would be installed into a specially constructed Faraday Enclosure.

"The whole operation is expected to take about 15 minutes, from the crane lifting the magnet from the truck to when it is placed inside the hospital," Dr Hames said.

"Once the magnet is installed then it is full steam ahead on the commissioning of the MRI machine which, once it starts operation next month, will allow patients to access this specialised diagnostic service much closer to home.

The MRI machine will be operated by Great Southern Radiology.  Albany Health Campus inpatients will not have to pay for MRI services, however community patients will have to cover the full cost.

Patients will be able to claim a Medicare rebate to help cover the cost of scans after the Medicare licence comes into effect in January 2015.

The Minister said the MRI machine would be an addition to other state-of-the art imaging equipment which was operating at Albany Health Campus, including a new 128-slice CT scanner, which used much lower doses of radiation.

"Albany Health Campus is a state-of-the-art, integrated health facility which is transforming the way health services are delivered to the people of the Great Southern," he said.

Installation was arranged for early Sunday morning so there will be minimal disruption for patients, their families and staff.

Fact File

  • The MRI fit out was undertaken by Smith Constructions, Bunbury

  • The $170.4million Albany Health Campus opened in May 2013, funded by $161.6million from the State Government (including $60.9million from Royalties for Regions) and $8.764million from the Federal Government

  • For more information, visit Get the Bigger Picture - Health http://getthebiggerpicture.health.wa.gov.au/

 Minister's office - 6552 5300