Geraldton Hospital takes delivery of $750,000 scanner

7/12/01
People with cancer and other patients will benefit from a $750,000 state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanner installed at Geraldton Hospital recently.
Health Minister Bob Kucera said the new machine would allow for faster and more detailed scans and would reduce the need for people to travel to Perth.
"The main advantage of this machine is speed, which enables rapid scanning on people who have been involved in accidents and those who are seriously ill," Mr Kucera said.
"Chest and abdominal scan times have been reduced from 20 minutes to five minutes - a major advantage for patients who are ill.
"Obviously, minimising time delays in acute or trauma situations is crucial, which is why this new scanner is so important."
Mr Kucera said the new CT scanner replaced the original scanner installed in 1993 and would benefit the Geraldton community for years to come.
"The purchase of this scanner will help attract and maintain staff in the area," he said.
"Staff will no longer have to travel to Perth to maintain their skills with the latest equipment."
The Minister said Geraldton Regional Hospital now had some of the best imaging equipment available in the State. Combined with direct tele-radiology links to Perth, teaching hospitals and an on-call radiologist, Geraldton Health Service was keeping up with technological changes that would assist with patient management and diagnosis.
Minister's office: (08) 9213 7000