Imaging department has ‘budget blowout,’ may lose accreditation

The budget of the medical imaging department at Canberra Hospital has exceeded $10 million (approximately $7.1 million) over a five-year period due to staffing shortages, according to a new report by WA Today

Last year, the hospital’s imaging department spent more than $40 million AUD (approximately $28.6 million). The rise in cost is due to filing vacant radiologist staff positions and unplanned leave.

The hospital's radiology department could also lose its teaching accreditation, according to the report, as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists' interim accreditation report found “a number of training and safety issues.” Immediate action will have to be taken to retain accreditation.

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As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.

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