WA Mobile Radiology Pilot Project

The WA Mobile Radiology Pilot Project will enable residents living in residential aged care homes (RACHs) to receive x-ray and ultrasound services in the comfort of their residence. The Department of Health (DoH) System Improvement Unit is leading an 18-month Pilot, launching March 2025, and is engaging Mobile Radiology Australia (MRA) (external site) as the service provider.

Service and funding

The mobile radiology service is a key initiative within WA Health’s strategy to improve healthcare access for consumers, with an initial focus on older adults. Mobile radiology will help address the current absence of onsite imaging, which often leads to unnecessary hospital transfers and ED visits.

Through mobile radiology, WA Health aims to provide more timely and accessible care, and enhance the quality of life for patients in RACHs. The initiative was developed in response to increasing demand for in-home care services and the growing strain on ED resources. The service is expected to positively impact healthcare delivery by enabling residents to receive care without leaving their homes.

About the pilot

The program will launch in March 2025 as an 18-month pilot, with significant potential for expansion beyond this period. The pilot will provide mobile imaging at 189 RACHs across the Perth metropolitan area.

Referrals can be made online via the MRA Portal (external site) by WA Health clinicians and RACH-affiliated GPs.

Services include:

• X-ray Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
• Ultrasound Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-5pm

Registration process

Referring clinicians can create their own log in:

1. MRA Website (external site)
2. Enter details
3. You’re in!

Referral process

1. Login via the MRA Portal (external site)
2. Fill out referral form for x-ray or ultrasound
3. MRA will accept or reject the referral within 24 hours and send an email notification informing of their decision
4. MRA contact RACH and organise an appointment to occur within 24 hours of accepting the referral, and notify the referring clinician via portal & email
5. MRA complete imaging, notifying the referring clinician via email – images are available for viewing immediately via the MRA Portal.

Resources

Video demonstration of:

• Referral process: How to make a booking (Uploading from computer) (external site)
•  Make a referral from a QR code: How to make a booking (using QR Code) (external site)
• MRA homepage (external site) / MRA portal (external site)
• Designated service area map
• Patient information:
  • X-ray factsheet (external site)
  • Ultrasound factsheet (external site)

More information

• For the DoH Mobile Radiology Project Team please email: doh.mobileradiologyproject@health.wa.gov.au
• MRA can be contacted through:
  • MRA online form (external site)
  • info@mraus.net.au
  • 1300 850 405