THE TWEED Hospital's Medical Staff Council has welcomed moves by Richmond MP Justine Elliot to lobby for a fully-funded MRI scanner but said the hospital was also in dire need of an overall redevelopment and more investment.

Federal MP Justine Elliot this week announced an application by Queensland Diagnostic Imaging for a full MRI licence at the Tweed Hospital was awaiting approval from Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley.

Mrs Elliot said the service was much-needed, as the radiology services currently offered by the QDI were only covered by a partial licence, meaning patients were required to pay for many examinations or seek public MRI services elsewhere.

"Currently, residents on the NSW north coast are significantly disadvantaged in their access to affordable MRI services, being forced to travel either to Lismore or Robina for fully Medicare- funded MRI services," Mrs Elliot said.

"I'm fighting on behalf of our community for a full Medicare MRI licence at the Tweed Hospital so that locals can rightfully access this effective health service.

"I've written to the health minister urgently requesting that the Turnbull government commit to a full Medicare MRI licence."

If successful with the application, the Tweed Hospital medical imaging department will be able to accept all appropriate public and private referrals for an MRI, with bulk-billing available where appropriate.

Tweed Medical Staff Council chairman Dr Mike Lindley-Jones, who spearheaded a Tweed Daily News campaign calling for a Fair Go for Tweed Hospital in the lead-up to the Federal Election earlier this year, said Mrs Elliot's support was a great start but more help was needed.

"Trying to get the MRI upgraded is great," Dr Lindley-Jones said.

"However, we really need a whole new hospital and we're asking Justine Elliot to continue her good work and to continue to raise these issues with various federal departments and ministers."