By Charlene Macaulay
The Labor Party has committed to getting a Medicare-subsidised MRI for Werribee Mercy Hospital if it wins the next federal election.
The promise is part of a Labor commitment to deliver 20 MRI licences across Australia, including at least 10 for public hospitals, if it wins the next election.
A Senate inquiry found earlier this year that Melbourne’s western suburbs had a shortfall in access to subsidised MRI machines.
The promise comes one month after Lalor MP Joanne Ryan launched an online petition calling for the hospital to receive a full-rebate MRI licence.
“To have one locally here will be an absolute win for this community,” Ms Ryan said.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces high-resolution images of the human body and helps identify medical issues that cannot be picked up on X-rays or ultrasounds.
Currently, Wyndham residents can access an MRI at MIA Wyndham Radiology, which is based at the Wyndham Private Medical Centre in Hoppers Lane, but may incur considerable costs in doing so.
Many Wyndham residents have to travel to Geelong, Sunshine or Melbourne’s CBD to access a Medicare-subsidised MRI machine.
