RED tape is preventing Warrnambool from securing its own life-saving cancer scanning machine, according to south-west medical specialist John Hounsell.
The haematologist-medical oncologist called on the Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon to use her power to get a $3 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)machine licence for South West Healthcare's (SWH) Warrnambool hospital.
He estimated that at least a dozen cancer patients had to be transported to Geelong from the south-west each week to use the screening service, jeopardising their well-being as well as costing the taxpayer.
Hospitals in Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon, Bendigo, Ballarat, Wodonga and Shepparton all have MRI machines on site.
"It's not a matter of the MRI being too expensive, it's just a matter of getting the licence," Dr Hounsell said.
"It is actually costing the Federal Government by not having an MRI machine here in the south-west because they have to reimburse the travel expenses of patients seeking MRI scans in Geelong.
"You get frustrated in medicine because you can see the benefits of such equipment, you can see its merits, but there is that political minefield you have to walk through."
Dr Hounsell led a deputation to Melbourne in September with SWH chief executive John Krygger, Wannon MP David Hawker and SWH board chairwoman Sharon Muldoon to urge Ms Roxon to fast-track a MRI machine licence.
But the deputation's mission encountered a setback after they were told by Ms Roxon's senior adviser that Warrnambool would have to wait for two years until a review was finalised.
"(The adviser) admitted we had a very good point but they had to go through this process, which isn't good enough,'' he said.
"Most other regional centres the size of Warrnambool have an MRI machine. They've got a couple in Gippsland, one in Ballarat, Shepparton, which are all located closer to Melbourne than we are.
"Warrnambool is one of the few regional centres that have a 24/7 oncology service. We also service patients from Hamilton, Portland and Mount Gambier and the rest of the district which is a population of about 120,000 people.
"If she (Ms Roxon) is willing to come to Warrnambool, listen to what we have to say and then make a decision which way or the other, then I will be happy. Because I know the arguments behind having an MRI machine in Warrnambool are irrefutable."
The medical imaging technique is most commonly used in radiology to visualise the internal structure and function of the body.
MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than the older CT scans do, making it especially useful in providing images of the spine, brain and pelvis.
Mr Krygger said the Warrnambool hospital had reached a level of patient capacity and technology to accommodate an MRI machine. He said acquiring a machine would create more jobs for the city.
"It's an overtly political process to secure an MRI machine which is possibly why Warrnambool has missed out," he said.
"When it was first released, MRI was revolutionary but now it's reasonably stock-standard. I believe we have the necessary population base and the specialist services for an MRI machine licence in Warrnambool," he said.
Acting Federal Health Minister Justine Elliot said this year's budget outlined a review of funding of MRI and how it would be arranged.
"It is expected that this MRI review will focus in particular on current restrictions around Medicare eligible/ineligible units and the options in relation to lifting or reducing these restrictions," Ms Elliot said.
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