Health problems don’t only occur during business hours so why are procedures like ultrasounds, MRIs, fluoroscopies and FNA biopsies performed at Campbelltown Hospital between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
That’s why Campbelltown MP Greg Warren has called on NSW health minister Brad Hazzard to conduct an urgent review into the availability of such services.
His call has been backed by federal MP Dr Mike Freelander.
“Residents in Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur region don’t experience health issues exclusively between the hours of 9am to 5pm on weekdays,’’ Mr Warren said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It is dumbfounding to think that someone who needs an MRI after 5pm on a Friday has to wait until Monday morning for the service.[/social_quote]
“The nurses, doctors and clinicians at Campbelltown Hospital are some of the hardest working people I have encountered.
“But they can only do so much if the technology to diagnose patients is unavailable.
“In June last year, Premier Gladys Berejiklian stood on the grounds of Campbelltown Hospital and announced the facility would receive a $632 million upgrade. “However, the upgrades will be useless unless the technology to diagnose patients is readily available. “Adequate staffing numbers are also vitally important because it is people not places who treat patients,” Mr Warren said.
Dr Michael Freelander, the member for Macarthur, said that some tests such as CT scans can be performed out of hours.
“But we really should be looking at making other services available for longer than what they currently are.’’ He said.
“In this day and age we should be working towards developing a process where services are available 24 hours.
“The Macarthur region is expanding rapidly, however the range of services at Campbelltown Hospital have failed to do likewise.
“The staff at Campbelltown Hospital are fantastic but they are hamstrung by the lack of available resources and technology.
“From a medical point of view, calls to extend the hours services are available at the hospital are certainly justified.”
Explanation of the services and the procedures they are used for:
- Fluoroscopy: A continuous X-ray used in procedures including: barium X-rays and enemas; catheter insertion and manipulation; placement of devices like stents; angiograms; and orthopaedic surgery.
- MRI: A scan that uses magnets and radiofrequency to generate pulses from the body. Often used to determine problems related to knee, brain and spinal injuries.
- Ultrasound: A handheld scanner that uses soundwaves to generate pictures of the inside of a body. Used to monitor unborn children and investigate issues related to: lumps; organs; tendons, ligaments; and blood flow within blood vessels.
- Doppler ultrasound: A type of ultrasound used to monitor blood flow in major arteries and veins.
- FNA biopsy: Involves a thin needle penetrating the skin to take a sample of fluid or tissue from a cyst or solid mass. Often used when an abnormality is detected during an X-ray, ultrasound or mammography.
