A woman taking a mammogram.
Camera IconA woman taking a mammogram. Credit: Getty Images, File

BreastScreen SA ‘using fly-in, fly-out’ radiologists from Sydney to fill gaps

BRAD CROUCHThe Advertiser

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BREASTSCREEN SA is flying in radiologists from Sydney to fill gaps in the service.

The fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) medicos from the private Sydney Breast Clinic will lead teams at BreastScreen SA, a leaked internal memo to staff shows.

BreastScreen SA clinical director Professor Gelareh Farshid’s memo states the Sydney clinic will provide “experienced radiologists to lead the team at our Flinders St Assessment clinics on an ad hoc basis.”

“We remain optimistic South Australian breast radiologists may be available in the near future to take up the few remaining vacancies in our assessment clinic rosters,” the memo states. “In the meantime please join me in welcoming our new colleagues to the service.”

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Prof Farshid’s memo notes the FIFO radiologists will be used when BreastScreen’s own radiologists are unavailable, and will run clinics in addition to the usually scheduled clinics.

The Opposition says FIFO workers should be used for remote mining sites, not metropolitan medical centres, and warned it may open the door to other FIFO specialists ranging from cardiologists to oncologists being used to fill future gaps in the health system.

Opposition health spokesman Stephen Wade said the Government should have trained, retained and recruited radiologists rather than being forced to fly in specialists from Sydney.

“SA Health’s use of fly-in, fly-out radiologists to lead clinics at BreastScreen’s SA Flinders St centre highlights the woeful mismanagement of SA Health during the 14 years State Labor has been in office,” Mr Wade said.

“Health Minister Jack Snelling needs to detail how much it is costing to fly in radiologists from Sydney, why SA Health has such as shortage of radiologists and if that shortage is compromising this vital patient service.”

Mr Snelling is on holidays and unavailable for comment.

Prof Farshid released a statement saying BreastScreen SA is in the process of recruiting additional local radiologists to staff more of its clinics.

“In the meantime we appreciate the support of experienced Sydney radiologists who will assist our existing team at the Flinders Street Clinic,” it said.

“This is a temporary measure, which currently involves one radiologist, that will ensure assessments are carried out sooner, so that clients’ anxieties can be alleviated.

“This arrangement is in the best interests of the women of South Australia and will help to ensure a high quality and timely service for South Australians women and their families.”

The FIFO situation comes three years after it was revealed BreastScreen SA had missed 72 potentially detectable cancers during a two-year technology changeover.

This resulted in 570 women needing to be re-screened. About 80 women are considering legal action against the State Government and at least 15 have already lodged claims including one woman seeking $94,000 over allegations her breast cancer was missed during botched screening.

A report into the blunder released by Mr Snelling found 72 cancers were missed between September 6, 2010, and June 30, 2012, when technology in equipment changed from analog to digital.

Two women whose cancers were missed died before the report into the review of 53,104 mammograms was released in May 2013. Mr Snelling, who publicly apologised, has said the Government would be a “model litigant”.