Equipment sourcing program supports regional health services

HSV’s medical equipment sourcing program continues to expand with $75 million of capital investment being sourced or in progress as at 30 April 2024. We have worked with health services to deliver $35.6 million of completed activities in the 10 months up to 30 April, with a further $39.4 million of procurement activities in progress.

The team has continued to achieve positive results and cost reductions by working with and supporting health services this financial year, including Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) where a Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine was recently installed.

The MRI machine is part of a suite of upgraded imaging equipment at the health service, including a new CT scanner, fluoroscopy unit and four new ultrasound systems procured by HSV.

NHW Chief Procurement Officer Kim Bennetts thanked the team at HSV for being supportive and patient and providing plenty of guidance throughout the procurement process.

“These procurement activities can be very time consuming, and it’s great to have the team’s expertise. They have a lot of subject matter knowledge that was very valuable to us.”

Kim said the MRI installation was completed on schedule within six weeks and the machine has been operational since 22 April 2024. The installation process involved a section of the roof being temporarily removed to allow the old MRI to be craned out and the new machine manoeuvred into place.

“The supplier was fantastic, and everything went seamlessly. During the installation process while our MRI was out of action our patients were able to access nearby services,” said Kim.

NHW Executive Director of Medical Services, Dr Garry Wilkes said the new MRI brought advanced technology and diagnostic capability to the health service.  

“The new machine provides a higher level of imaging which will help provide clinicians with more information to support their diagnostic analysis. We will also be able to scan prostates and breasts, which we couldn’t do with the previous machine.”

“The ergonomic design means improved patient comfort and faster scan time will allow for more patients to be scanned each day.”

Meanwhile, Beechworth residents can once again access radiology services without leaving town with a new x-ray machine at Beechworth Health Service (BHS), also procured by HSV.

CEO Dr Mark Ashcroft said he had great confidence in working with HSV to procure the new machine which was installed in October 2023.

“Senior Category Manager Grant Thomas helped us navigate supplier quotes and presented the options in a way that was easy to understand, which made our decision more informed,” he said.

“We didn’t have the expertise inhouse to approach the market. Grant’s assistance was not only invaluable but necessary.”

Mark said BHS had previously operated a reduced service, with the assistance of radiology service partners for an extended period during which residents had to travel to access radiology services.

“Now we are able to deliver a broader suite of radiology services for our community,” he said.

HSV’s Equipment Sourcing team has access to national pricing and individual cost component data, as well as tools and templates to expedite the process and improve health service outcomes. Benefits for health services include:

• medical equipment procurement and market expertise
• price benchmarking and quote reviews
• assistance with supplier negotiations
• technical expertise, often resulting in improved specifications and warranties
• procuring equipment service, maintenance and software
• contractual enforcement.

For more information about support for medical equipment procurement, please contact your HSV Customer Relationship Manager or the HSV Helpdesk at helpdesk@healthsharevic.org.au or phone 03 9947 3900.

Top image: Kasey Flanigan, Mike Atkins and Alistair Browne from Northeast Health Wangaratta with the new MRI machine.