Information Response_010616 · MCU15/0122

   Noosa Radiology has the only Medicare eligible MRI service in the greater Noosa locality. QDI which
    undertakes the contracted services within Noosa Hospital lists only X-Ray, Ultrasound, OPG, Nuclear
    Medicine, Mammogram and CT Scan services. Operational efficiencies for the Hospital, improved
    convenience for patients and practitioners will ensue with the co-location of Medicare eligible MRI
    services at Noosa Radiology with the Noosa Hospital.

   Noosa Radiology has outgrown its existing premises and requires additional premises to meet the health
    service needs of its existing and growing patient base. Noosa Radiology has been unable to provide the
    full breadth of radiology services, training facilities and staff services it requires to best meet the needs of
    existing patients, future patients and staff.

   The Australian Health Facility Guidelines (AusHFG) – Medical Imaging 440 outlines numerous functional
    and operational policies which support the co-location of health services particularly to support a smaller
    hospital such as Noosa Hospital and therefore the development of the proposed development at the
    subject site including:

        o   440.010.010 – Privatisation of Services - “some small healthcare facilities may rely on private practice for
            more sophisticated modalities and private practitioners may be contracted to provide facilities on the
            hospital campus.” “need to be addressed early in the planning process as they may have considerable
            spatial, design and cost implications.”
        o   440.010.015 – Off-site Services – “In smaller or remote rural hospitals and multipurpose services that cannot
            justify comprehensive medical imaging services, access to off-site services such as CT scanning and MRI is
            an important consideration.”
        o   440.008.010 – Determining Service Capability – “Considering the overall impact of medical imaging
            capability on other hospital services and facilities in terms of referral patterns. Being aware of what is
            available in the private sector particularly in rural areas in order to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication
            and under-utilisation of a modality.”

   Queensland Health’s Capital Infrastructure Requirements Manual highlights the strategic direction for the
    delivery of health services in Queensland whereby:

            “The HHS health facilities and services operate under a clinical network governance structure. A range of
            services are provided across the HHS supported by, and functioning in collaboration with the specialist
            facilities and services. Collaboration also includes primary and community sectors such as local general
            practitioners and private health services, and other government and non-government services.”

   Other significant operational or technical needs for the co-location of the proposed health facilities with
    the Noosa Hospital as identified within the Needs Analysis include:

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