A new $15 million breast care centre will be built in Hobart to improve access to imaging for Tasmanians.
The Tasmanian Government has begun planning for the new facility at Liverpool Street Clinics, which will accept patient referrals from general practitioners.
Health Minister Guy Barnett said the centre will increase capacity, reduce wait times and ease the financial impact on Tasmanians requiring breast imaging services.
“It will make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, addressing the issue that GP-referred diagnostic imaging is currently only available in the private sector,” he said.
The centre will take a “multi-disciplinary” team approach to treatment, involving and supporting patients in decisions about their care.
Minister for Women Madeleine Ogilvie said the facility would make an enormous difference for Tasmanian women.
“We recognise the growing need to meet demand for these services, through the establishment of this new Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre we are enabling greater access to thousands of Tasmanian women,” she said.
“I am incredibly pleased that we have acted swiftly to get this facility established, providing the vital healthcare that Tasmanian women need sooner.”
Around 10% of women receive abnormal screening result, which means that around 3,500 Tasmanians will benefit from the new facility.
Full design work is expected to be completed by late November 2024, with a public tender planned to be advertised by December 2024 to find a construction contractor.
