STATE Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker is calling for the installation of an MRI machine at Redland Hospital, saying it would improve health service access for locals and free up nurses to spend more time caring for patients.
Currently, Redland Hospital does not offer MRI imaging on-site.
Patients requiring this service must be transported to other Brisbane hospitals, such as the Princess Alexandra Hospital or the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital.
These transfers typically require a nurse to accompany the patient, often for several hours at a time, reducing nursing capacity on the wards.
While recent developments at Redland Hospital include the opening of the Amity Ward, a new Intensive Care Unit set to open soon, and budget commitments to expand mental health services, an MRI machine has not been included in the list of upgrades.
“The Redlands is growing, and so too must the range of services offered at Redland Hospital,” Mrs Stoker said.
“It’s great to see that the stage 2 expansion of the Redland Hospital is funded in the budget.
“Our next step needs to be an on-site MRI machine, so that the time of our precious nurses is used efficiently.”
Mrs Stoker said the addition of an MRI service at the hospital would help reduce pressure on over-stretched staff and deliver real improvements to patient outcomes.
“An MRI for Redland Hospital will mean better access to health services when locals need it, better working conditions for our nurses and better patient care in wards,” she said.
Mrs Stoker has launched a petition to rally community support and demonstrate to the State Government the level of public demand for the new diagnostic service.
“I encourage Redlanders to sign the petition to help me show the Health Minister how much our community would support this expansion of services to include an MRI at our local hospital.”
The petition can be accessed at tinyurl.com/redlandmri.
