Media Release: ULTRA-MODERN ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT FOR ROYAL WOMEN’S

FROM THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH

DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 2006

ULTRA-MODERN ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT FOR ROYAL WOMEN’S

A $1 million upgrade to the Royal Women’s Hosptial Ultrasound Unit will help save the lives of unborn children by giving doctors access to better quality prenatal images, the Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike, said today.

Ms Pike said the funds were used to replace 10 of the RWH’s ultrasound machines with state-of-the-art 3D and 4D models, providing a better, faster and more accurate service for pregnant women using the hospital’s facilities.

“Providing world-class health services to mums-to-be improves a woman’s experience of pregnancy and ultimately strengthens families,” Ms Pike said.

“The new machines can provide both three-dimensional and four-dimensional images, which greatly helps the doctors and health professionals to diagnose the health and development of the baby in the womb.

“Four-dimensional images – moving three-dimensional images displayed in real time – give doctors even better tools to monitor and diagnose the wellbeing of the baby.

“The equipment provides clearer, quality images, which helps the mothers to see and recognise exactly what’s happening as well.”

Ms Pike said women would be given the chance to take home a video of the four-dimensional images, as a lasting memory of their pregnancy.

She said the updated equipment would also play a pivotal role in a new research project to detect abnormalities that may cause recurrent miscarriages.

“The Bracks Government is continuing to invest in maternity and neonatal services to ensure we provide the best possible care for mothers and babies in Victoria,” Ms Pike said.

“This year we are spending $8.2 million, including $2.2 million for neonatal equipment, to open four new neonatal intensive care cots and 12 special care cots.”

Ms Pike said there are more than 60,000 births each year in Victoria, and births in public hospitals have increased by 6 per cent over the past 12 months.