AMA submission to the Medical Services Advisory Committee – new mobile imaging services for residential aged care facilities

The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) has received an application to introduce funding for mobile imaging (including x-ray and ultrasound) services for residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs). The AMA is generally supportive of providing this service, and believe it can significantly improve medical access to older people and save on significant costs that come with transferring a resident from a RACF to the hospital. However, MSAC outlines concerns that since cost savings would primarily occur for State and Territory governments, there are challenges in justifying MBS funding from the Federal Government. Regardless, the AMA states that the Government’s priorities should lie with the health of older people, not a focus on internal financial difficulties within the health system divisions.