FROM Chicago in the USA, the much-anticipated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine has arrived in Melbourne, due to be installed and operational at the Hamilton Base Hospital by early 2023.
Locally engaged tradespeople are hastily working to complete the refurbishment of the hospital’s radiology department by Christmas in preparation for the machine’s arrival.
The MRI machine has been the subject of a significant local fundraising effort by the community, with $1,456,000 raised for the MRI for U&I Appeal to date, including over 1000 donations.
A $1.5 million infrastructure grant was also received, leaving a little over $100,000 outstanding, to fully fund the project.
Recent fundraising efforts included a raffle with 3600 tickets sold for $100,000 worth of prizes, raising over $120,000.
The Medicine Ball held on Saturday, October 15, with 350 people in attendance, raised $150,000.
There are further fundraiser events to be held, however a couple have been postponed until next year due to the weather.
Once the MRI is installed, Bendigo Radiology will take responsibility for the day-to-day staff management and oversight of the MRI and are presently in the process of recruiting an MRI technician.
Western District Health Service (WDHS) will retain ownership of the machine.
Bendigo Radiology is a partnership of seven radiologists that have provided medical imaging services in Hamilton for over twenty years.
MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of a person’s interior and is used to investigate or diagnose conditions that affect soft tissue.
It involves the patient lying on a table that slides into a large cylinder, within which there is a magnet that creates a powerful magnetic field, enabling soft tissue imaging.
A purpose built ‘pod’ is presently being manufactured in Queensland to house the MRI, with its installation expected to be in February 2023.
WDHS paid tribute to the combined efforts of donors, suppliers and contractors who are working together to see the installation of the MRI completed and operational by late February 2023.
