Patients needing urgent diagnostic imaging are being given access to PET scans as the Federal Government responds to the crisis afflicting nuclear medicine.

A mechanical fault at Australia’s nuclear medicine facility at Lucas Heights in Sydney has halted production of the radioisotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), used in about 80% of nuclear scans.

The supply shortage has meant doctors are being forced to ration all but the most urgent cases, with as many as 70% of the 15,000 patients each week needing the scans having to cancel or postpone the imaging.

In response, acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has announced six temporary MBS items to ensure access to alternative imaging for the next three months.