Monday, July 3, 2006

HALL WELCOMES MOBILE MRI SERVICE

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Province Peter Hall has welcomed today's announcement of a three-year trial of a mobile MRI service for the Gippsland region.

Mr Hall said residents from the Latrobe Valley, South Gippsland and East Gippsland would benefit from the state-of-the-art service.

"It is wonderful news for Gippsland and I congratulate the Federal Member for Gippsland Peter McGauran for working to secure the mobile MRI facility," Mr Hall said.

"Instead of travelling to Dandenong or Melbourne to access MRI facilities, local residents will now be able to access the service at their local hospital."

Mr Hall said the high rates of cancer in regional areas, including Gippsland and Latrobe Valley, made the three-year MRI trial vitally important.

"Early diagnosis is critical when dealing with health issues and the MRI equipment can detect cancers at an early stage which allows for prompt treatment," Mr Hall said.

"Cancer is a leading killer of country Victorians and the introduction of MRI services throughout Gippsland is a great result for our community."

Gippsland company - Regional Imaging Gippsland - has won the contract to provide the mobile service.

"As I understand it, the MRI will be based in the Latrobe Valley but will travel throughout Gippsland on a rostered basis which should allow patients to be diagnosed without the inconvenience and discomfort of travelling long distances," Mr Hall said.

"The mobile MRI will be able to set up at hospitals throughout Gippsland to provide services at major population centres."

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066 or 0427 747 066