Media Release: FLUOROSCOPY FIRST FOR FRANKSTON COMMUNITY

FROM THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH

DATE: Thursday, March 9, 2006

FLUOROSCOPY FIRST FOR FRANKSTON COMMUNITY

Families across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will have access to a host of new medical services close to home thanks to a new $3.4 million medical imaging suite, housing state-of-the-art equipment.

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike visited Peninsula Health’s Frankston Hospital today to unveil a new $850,000 fluoroscopy digital imaging machine that will be the centrepiece of the nearly-completed suite.

“The new fluoroscopy machine will allow the best quality examination and treatment of arteries in the brain, arms, legs and body ever seen at Frankston Hospital,” Ms Pike said.

“This multi-million dollar upgrade and new equipment will save people on the Peninsula from having to hike into the city for a range of treatments, previously unavailable in the area.”

Ms Pike said the new machine rotates around the patient, taking high-quality digital images of a patient’s arteries from all angles, allowing a detailed examination and specific treatment.

“This fluoroscopy machine will better identify problems such as aneurysms, opening up a world of new opportunities for patients to get the best treatment close to home from vascular surgeons and radiologists,” Ms Pike said.

“The speed and enhanced capabilities of the equipment will allow radiologists to treat up to 25 patients per week, almost doubling the current number of fluoroscopic examinations and procedures.”

Ms Pike said having real-time images from all angles of all arteries would also enable specialists to undertake better treatments, like placing catheters in narrow arteries previously unaccessible.

“This redevelopment is in the closing phases of completion, and by August this year when the works are finished and this new machine is in its purpose-built area, the people of the Peninsula will realise the full benefit of this upgrade,” Ms Pike said.

The $3.4 million redevelopment was funded by a Bracks Government capital grant, including $500,000 in fundraising by the hospital auxiliary. It comprises new areas for general Xray, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, CT scans and new reception and staff areas.