The amount of time it is taking to secure medical imaging appointments and the turnaround time in obtaining results has been taken up with the State’s Health Minister, again.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said it was a matter he raised a long time ago and despite being told solutions were being worked on, things had seemingly only got worse.

“We have had one case where a constituent waited 85 days between the time their doctor ordered a scan to when an appointment was finally offered.

“There have also been cases where a scan has been done, a doctor’s appointment booked for two weeks after for a follow up, and when the patient arrives, the doctor is yet to receive the image,” he said.

Mr Bull said a recent report from the Gippsland Primary Health Network highlighted Gippslanders face a higher prevalence of avoidable deaths specific to cancer diagnosis, lung disease and heart disease.

“Part of this is due to imaging delay,” Mr Bull said.

“Given I raised this matter with the Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, over 12 months ago, I have sought an update on what is being done to cut these timeframes down, so we can start to reverse this concerning trend.

“Country people should not have such a discrepancy in wait times compared to our city-based cousins. Of course there will be some disadvantages, but in this area the gap is increasing, and it needs to be addressed.

“I am looking forward to receiving the Minister’s reply to see what is being put in place,” he said.

Monday, 10 February 2025