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:

        o   Attracting and retaining a quality medical workforce is increasingly reliant on access to
            training and employment opportunities. The proposed development would create a hub
            for private and public GPs and specialists to provide ongoing training to medical students
            in fields relevant to the community’s health needs.

        o   The access to ongoing training will improve the overall quality of health care offered by
            the Noosa Hospital and specialist teams. The co-location of training and health care
            contributes to the creation of a health and wellbeing precinct for the current and future
            health needs of the Noosa community.

        o   Noosa Radiology is experiencing strong demand for its services and has outgrown its
            existing premises. Additional staff treatment rooms are required to meet growing demand
            for services and there is insufficient space within their existing premises to accommodate
            this expansion.

        o   Co-location of the proposed specialist medical centre will increase the range and
            convenience of access to services at the Noosa Hospital. The inclusion of angiography
            suites, PET imaging and training facilities will establish a health hub in association with the
            Noosa Hospital and enhance the health outcomes and treatment options for the
            community.