| The Hon Gary Gray MP Special Minister of State |
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP Minister for Health |
GG 31/12
11 May 2012
The first of seven new mobile breast screen units destined to help the women of regional Western Australia has been opened for business today in Mandurah.
“These new units were funded by the Australian Government’s $13.3 million Digital Technology project for Western Australia and a State Government investment of $800,000,” Special Minister of State Gary Gray said at today’s launch.
The units are due to visit 97 locations across regional and remote WA over the next two years.
“These units are taking state of the art digital mammography to the regions and are part of a comprehensive upgrade of outdated analogue technology – including the instalment of 16 digital mammography machines in Perth’s Breastscreen Australia Clinics,” Mr Gray said.
He praised Health Minister Tanya Plibersek for her role in investing an unprecedented $2.5 billion to fight cancer. Mr Gray represented Ms Plibersek at the official opening with WA’s Health Minister Dr Kim Hames.
Ms Plibersek said two key elements of the Commonwealth Government’s investment were:
“Regional women in wheelchairs and those with mobility impairment will also welcome the improved accessibility on offer due to the inclusion of an automated wheelchair lift and better internal layout,” Ms Plibersek said.
“With a five-year relative survival rate currently more than 61 per cent, better accessibility will ensure we continue making great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”
| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| John Arthur (Gary Gray) - 0408 991 261 | www.smos.gov.au |
| Paul Perry (Tanya Plibersek) - 02 6277 7220 | www.heatlh.gov.au |