A tender process to put X-ray and ultrasound services on-site at Tomaree Community Hospital is ongoing.

In effect, it means the hospital continues to refer patients for X-rays off-site, a year after the Local Health District announced the tender process.

The slow progress has angered the Opposition (see below) who took aim at Minister for Health Brad Hazzard. His office said he was unable to respond to questions on Friday because he was busy at a COAG meeting (Coalition of Australian Governments).

The Local Health District responded on his behalf.

“Hunter New England Health continues to explore options to deliver imaging services on-site at Tomaree Hospital,” HNEH rural and regional health services executive director Karen Kelly said.

“The tender process for these services remains ongoing.”

In October 2016 the state government said it planned to build an X-ray unit at Tomaree Hospital, and would ultimately expect the successful private bidder to provide general X-rays from that unit from at least 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The unit was also expected to offer semi-urgent and urgent X-rays 24 hours a day, and include “prepared spaces” to house CT and ultrasound scanning equipment. 

Earlier:

The Minister for Health Brad Hazzard has been asked to “please explain” why the state government is yet to provide on-site X-ray and ultrasound services at Tomaree Community Hospital.

The government put the imaging services out to tender more than 12 months ago.

The opposition spokesman for health Walt Secord along and Port Stephens MP Kate Washington want the government to get on with the job and provide the service itself.

“NSW Health is clearly in crisis when it can’t even provide x-ray and ultrasound services at a regional hospital,” Mr Secord said.

“The Liberals only have two approaches to healthcare – cuts and privatisation.”

Imaging services are provided on a contract basis in Nelson Bay but only in business hours. At night and on weekends, people with fractures must travel outside of Port Stephens for scans.

“The current situation is ridiculous. Local residents shouldn’t have to be shipped up to Bulahdelah or Taree, or down to the Mater or John Hunter hospitals, just for diagnostic imaging,” Ms Washington said.

“More than 12 months ago, the NSW Government sought private tenders for onsite imaging at Tomaree Hospital, but we’ve heard nothing since.”

The matter is all the more pressing, Ms Washington said, on the eve of Port’s bustling tourism season.

“With peak tourist season fast approaching, I’m urging the government to ensure that residents and visitors can access imaging at the hospital where and when they need it,” Ms Washington said.

“Residents and visitors alike cannot believe that our hospital has no x-ray or ultrasound.” 

The Examiner has approached the office of Minister Brad Hazard for comment.

The community has long wanted 24-7 X-ray service at the hospital. In 2011 Hunter New England Health spent $221,000 on external X-ray services and up to $90,000 in six months on patient transfers for x-rays.