Keeping x-ray services in the bush

Now with essential radiography skills that can be used when a radiographer is not present are nurses, Victoria Young – Cowra, Ancy Raj – Warren, Angela Hundy – Walgett, Emma Reavell – Lightning Ridge, Ashwin Joy – Coolah, Rendel Fernandez – Warren, with educator, Tony Smith. Photo TWH

A shortage of medical x-ray personnel in remote area has led to upskilling local nurses in radiography.

Now Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Coolah, and Warren have five more nurses on hand to provide x-ray service if immediate access to a radiographer is not available.

Easy access to a range of x-ray services is just the latest example of innovation providing access to medical assistance that may otherwise involve waiting for a clinician to arrive or travelling elsewhere.

The nurses gained their licence through a collaboration between the Western NSW Local Health District and Health Education and Training Institute which has begun training for the NSW Limited Licence Radiography Course.

The course gives remote-area practitioners essential radiography skills to conduct a limited range of x-rays, improving access to care in the bush.

NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park said this provides better care closer to home for those living in rural and remote areas.

“This is another example of the terrific opportunities available to rural nurses to add to their high-level skills and improve health access and outcomes for their local communities,” Mr Park said. […]

Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

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