Top-notch equipment for Perth's new hospital

• $32million of advanced medical equipment

• Advanced technology to cater for future health needs

• Hospital designed to provide state-of-the-art patient care

Patients at Fiona Stanley Public Hospital will benefit from $32million worth of Australia's most advanced medical equipment following the awarding of contracts for the State's flagship public hospital, Health Minister Kim Hames said today.

"Fiona Stanley Public Hospital will have the gold standard in major medical equipment, providing faster, safer and more comfortable care for patients, including digital x-ray systems, CT and MRI scanners and mammography systems," Dr Hames said.

"Thanks to the State Government's purchase of the latest technologies, patients in WA will have access to the fastest and most advanced equipment in Australia, providing the highest quality images to help clinicians make the best decisions for patients.

"Examinations can be completed more easily due to the increased flexibility of Fiona Stanley Public Hospital's new digital x-ray machines. That means less movement of patients and a lower x-ray dose; particularly beneficial in the emergency environment.

"And the new CT scanners ordered for the hospital will take just 250 milliseconds - a quarter of a heartbeat - to image the heart.

"It would be exciting to be able to announce the purchase of one brand new piece of multi-million dollar equipment, but to be able to announce the purchase of 22 major packages including more than 300 pieces of essential clinical equipment is just extraordinary."

All of the equipment was procured through an extensive selection process with input and expert advice from many of WA's most experienced clinicians.

Fiona Stanley Public Hospital will open next year and feature, for the first time in Australia, an innovative, managed equipment service, which will mean that the complex medical equipment remains up to date, well maintained and state-of-the-art for years to come.

          Fact File

• Fiona Stanley Public Hospital part of Liberal National Government's $7billion hospital building and refurbishment program, encompassing about 130 hospital projects throughout WA

• Advances in technology and research embraced under Liberal National Govt through provision of $40m each year for a medical equipment replacement program

Minister's office - 6552 5300