Time for Reason in MRI Debate
The AMA said today's DPP decision not to take legal action against radiologists over the so-called "scan scam" was welcome but not unexpected news for the profession.
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said radiologists had been "found guilty before even being charged" of acting on allegedly leaked information about a 1998 budget freeze on rebates for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines.
"This is no doubt a tremendous relief for those specialists who's reputations had been tarnished by this episode," Dr Phelps said.
"We are pleased to see the Director of Public Prosecutions has found insufficient evidence to prosecute the radiologists, or any individuals, involved in the purchase of the MRI machines," she said.
Dr Phelps said MRI technology - which offered significantly enhanced image resolution in soft tissue and bone - was extremely valuable to Australian medicine.
"In terms of future use of these machines, too much attention has been spent on deciding how many MRI machines should be operating in Australia and not enough on identifying how the technology can be applied. It needs to be rolled out Australia-wide," Dr Phelps said.
She said the AMA had prepared a comprehensive submission to the Federal Government's Blandford Review on MRI technology.
"It's time for reason in the MRI debate. The inclusion of MRI services in the Medical Benefits Schedule has been a significant advance by the Government which will improve equity of access to MRI services," Dr Phelps said.
"We look forward to Dr Wooldridge's promises to further expand access to this exciting technology."