Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Roger Cook have visited Kalgoorlie Health Campus to tour the brand new $6.3 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility.
A key McGowan Government election commitment, the service is providing Goldfields residents with access to diagnostic technology on country and closer to home.
The facility houses a new $1.75 million state-of-the-art MRI machine, which started scanning patients in mid-June this year and has now assisted more than 200 Goldfields residents.
By receiving treatment closer to home, these patients have not needed to undertake the 1,200 kilometre round trip to Perth to access MRI services.
The 1.5T Magnetom Sola MRI machine is unique in that it automatically adjusts to the anatomy of each patient - leading to a more accurate diagnosis and assessment.
It also supports local clinicians to receive remote support from colleagues and specialists in other locations, ensuring some of our most vulnerable patients have equal access to world-class healthcare.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"This new world-class MRI facility is a terrific asset for the Kalgoorlie and wider Goldfields communities.
"Goldfields residents now have local access to this specialist diagnostic tool, enabling them to stay closer to home when receiving vital medical treatment.
"My Government is committed to providing excellent healthcare across country Western Australia, and I am so pleased to see for myself the benefits this new MRI machine is providing for local people."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"When the McGowan Government announced the funding for this project it was because we had listened to the Goldfields community.
"We heard you when you said you wanted to access diagnostics closer to home, and we are honoured to have delivered that for you.
"Improving the patient journey is at the heart of everything we do, and enabling this technology in the regions is a key part to achieving that."
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"Travelling to Perth each year for MRI scans is a large burden on patients, so I'm pleased the Goldfields community now has access to this service.
"The McGowan Government has delivered on this key election commitment."
