The Senate Inquiry and Monash Report have identified multiple contributing causes and a number of gaps in the system relating to the healthcare of miners, which includes dust levels in the mines, medical testing, record keeping and coordination of examination results.

In relation to diagnostic imaging, all X-rays should be taken by a qualified radiographer or other appropriately trained health professional who is licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction, RANZCR president Greg Slater said.

“The facilities where images are taken should be accredited through the Federal Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme or the RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation Program,” he said.

“RANZCR sees merit in double reading of X-rays for CWP. This should be managed within the Australian healthcare system through double reading by two clinical radiologists from RANZCR’s CWP Register.

“Any doctor providing services to Australian patients needs to be registered with the Medical Board of Australia, under AHPRA. If any questions arise over the competence of an individual medical practitioner, they should be directed to AHPRA.”