New Mobile Aged Care X-Ray Service celebrates milestone

Residential aged care facility patients on the Coast are being spared unnecessary visits to local hospital emergency departments thanks to a new mobile X-ray service.

The service has been jointly funded by Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network.

CCLHD Chief Executive Dr Andrew Montague and Primary Health Network CEO Richard Nankervis met today to celebrate 500 visits to residential aged care facility patients since the service began last year.

“Most of these patients no longer need to visit their local Emergency department.”

Mr Nankervis said the mobile imaging X-ray service brings benefits to both the patient and the facility.

“Importantly for the resident it significantly improves their experience of care by reducing the stress and anxiety associated with a visit to an Emergency Department (ED) and for the aged care facility it greatly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, it saves time and money.

“From research and experience elsewhere, we know that mobile imaging reduces transfers to and from a hospital, increases the number of examinations carried out and facilitates timely diagnosis and access to treatments.”

A GP or specialist referral is required for residents to access the mobile X-ray service. The service will be available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

General X-rays of upper and lower limb, chest, abdomen, pelvic girdle, spine, thoracic cage, skull and facial bones can be performed by the mobile X-ray equipment.

There will be no out of pocket cost to the patients or the residential aged care facilities.

If you have any questions, contact Gosford Hospital Medical Imaging Department via phone: 4320 2540