Radiology service now at new Albany Health Campus

The new $170.

  • Great Southern Radiology providing state-of-the-art imaging at the new health campus

  • Comprehensive imaging service for the hospital and community

The new $170.4million Albany Health Campus will provide local patients with advanced imaging services using state-of-the-art equipment.

Health Minister Kim Hames said Great Southern Radiology (GSR) started operations from the new campus last week and would provide services for both hospital and community patients from May 15, 2013, when patients would be admitted to the campus.

Dr Hames said the new equipment provided by GSR included a new 128 slice CT scanner.

"This scanner will use much lower doses of radiation which is more suitable for children and cardiac patients," he said.

"Other upgraded equipment includes digital mammography, which uses less pressure and radiation, and a permanent x-ray machine will be fixed to the ceiling for use in the Emergency Department resuscitation rooms, which will be used to give doctors immediate access to the x-ray images."

The Minister said GSR successfully tendered for the patient imaging services at the Albany Health Campus. It would deliver comprehensive imaging services at no additional cost for public patients.

"There will be no cost difference for public hospital patients - they will not have to pay a fee as is the case now," he said.

"Those who are referred by their GPs to GSR will continue to pay the gap between the fee and the Medicare rebate, as is the case now. Health card holders and children under 16 will not be charged.

"GSR has also been successful in securing a MRI licence from January 2015 and work has commenced so the machine can be installed.  It is expected that it will be in place before the end of this year."

 

          Fact File

  • The Albany Health Campus will be officially opened by Premier Colin Barnett and Health Minister Kim Hames on Friday May 3, 2013

  • A community open day will follow the official opening, from 1pm to 4.30pm

  • The new campus is funded by $161.6m from the WA Government (including $60.9m from Royalties for Regions) and $8.764m from the Federal Government

Minister's office - 6552 5300