Two MRI machines have officially opened in Broken Hill this week with locals no longer needing to travel hundreds of kilometres to get scans.
The machines are based at the Broken Hill GP Super Clinic and Thrive Medical centre, with both ventures years in the planning.
The Super Clinic's co-owner, Dr Funmi Komolafe, officially opened their machine on Monday and said they had been planning to set one up since the building opened more than seven years ago.
She said patients were suffering, and being challenged by the need to travel out of town for services.
"The MRI service was crucial because it was a key to diagnosing certain conditions," Dr Komolafe said.
"We did not think that was right and fair, and it was part of our vision to establish the service along the way after the Super Clinic started."
Just three days later the city's Thrive Medical clinic held its own MRI opening event with about 60 people in attendance.
The centre's CEO Heather Pearce said they had already administered over 100 scans with their machine since it began operating over a month ago.
"They may be unable to travel or don't have a carer who's able to take them.
"It's very exciting for us as a business to offer that locally."
Medicare licences still needed
Both of the local MRI providers said they were still looking to secure a Medicare licence for their machine, which would allow them to bulk bill.
Dr Komolafe said that would make a huge difference to patients.
"If they decided not to wait here to do it and travel to say Mildura or Adelaide to get a Medicare-rebatable licence then they have to pay for transport, they have to pay for accommodation.
"There are additional hidden and intangible costs associated with such trips."
Ms Pearce said the federal government should expedite the licence-securing process.
"Unfortunately how it works with the MRI is they have to have a provider number and they're only allocated in rounds," she said.
"The next round doesn't come up until 2022.
Local MP continuing to push for licences
Parkes MP Mark Coulton, who attended the Thrive MRI opening event, said despite being dumped from his position as Federal Minister for Regional Health he would keep pushing to get the two licenses fast-tracked.
He said he would try and use his connections to help Broken Hill.
"One of the last conversations I had when I was in Canberra was with (Federal Health Minister) Greg Hunt (and) it was about MRI licenses for Broken Hill," he said.
"The fact that I have been in the Ministry does help me understand the processes and where you need to put your pressure to get the best result."
