Media Release: BENDIGO SCANNER PUTS PATIENTS IN PICTURE

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

DATE: Thursday, May 3, 2007

BENDIGO SCANNER PUTS PATIENTS IN PICTURE

The Treasurer, John Brumby, today announced $1.7 million for Bendigo Health Care Group to buy a new, more powerful computed tomography (CT) scanner.

Mr Brumby said the 64-slice scanner would deliver images considerably faster than the outdated, single-slice machine it was replacing.

CT scanners provide cross-sectional images of the body in patients with vascular diseases such as stroke and cancer, infectious diseases and acute abdominal and thoracic conditions, and after serious surgery.

“Bracks Government funding through the new Medical Equipment Replacement Program will enable ill and injured patients in the Bendigo region to be examined more efficiently,” Mr Brumby said.

“The Government announced $145 million in the State Budget for this program over four years.

“It will help health services such as Bendigo Health Care Group replace vital medical equipment items and thereby reduce risk to patients, staff and to service availability.

“Such items will be purchased across the public health care system including metropolitan, major regional and rural public hospitals.”

Bendigo Health Care Group also received $2 million in the Budget for ongoing planning for its main hospital site that will support the hospital’s redevelopment.

This includes funding for expanded mental health capacity, new wards and new allied health and outpatient facilities.

Mr Brumby said the Medical Equipment Replacement Program would help fund big-ticket items that hospitals could not readily buy through their budgets.

“Hospitals in rural and regional areas in particular must keep up with scientific and technological developments to ensure their patients get the best possible care,” the Treasurer said.

“This Budget provides a $1.9 billion boost to State investment in world-class health services. Highlights include more funding for elective surgery, expanded health and ambulance services and investing in the best medical professionals.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Brumby briefed local community leaders on other initiatives in the 2007-08 Budget, including $1.5 million as the first step in establishing a new rural dental school at Bendigo.