PDF printable version of $7 Million for Tasmania's First PET Scanner (PDF 16 KB)
Joint Release
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
The Hon Duncan Kerr MP
Member for Denison
25 August 2009
The Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon and Federal Member for Denison, the Hon Duncan Kerr SC today announced funding for Tasmania’s first public Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner.
The scanner will be located at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH).
The Rudd Government has provided $3.5 million for the new state of the art public PET scanner. The Tasmanian Government will provide a further $3.7 million for the project to go ahead.
“The Rudd Government is pleased to provide these funds so more Tasmanians have access to this important diagnostic tool.
“This funding will enable the Royal Hobart Hospital to operate a tertiary oncology unit with daily access to a PET-CT scanning service for the first time,” Ms Roxon said.
Duncan Kerr, Federal Member for Denison, said this was another win for the people of Hobart after the Rudd Government announced $44.7m in the recent Budget for a new research facility near the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“It is great to see the Rudd Government deliver on its election promise to provide this service for Tasmanians. This service will make a real difference to patients awaiting cancer diagnosis.
“This machine will ensure that Tasmanians will be able to access the latest diagnostic tools in their local public hospital,” Mr Kerr said.
The PET-CT scanner would also be used for clinical research through the collaborative partnership recently established between the Menzies Research Institute and the RHH.
Tenders for the supply and installation of the PET-CT scanner would be called shortly.
Contacts:
Minister Roxon’s Office 02 6277 7220
Duncan Kerr’s Office Ben McKay 0400 101 847
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