Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today officially launched the high calibre CT scanner at Nickol Bay Hospital, which is a $38.2million partnership between the State Government and major industries in the Pilbara to boost health services in the region over the next three years.

 

Under the partnership agreement, $32.96million of funding is being provided through the Royalties for Regions Pilbara Revitalisation Plan, with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s Pilbara Industry’s Community Council (PICC) Health Initiative members (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, North West Shelf Joint Venture, Rio Tinto and Woodside Energy) contributing $5.28million.

 

Mr Grylls said the Pilbara Health Initiative was set up to fund urgently needed health services and equipment in the region, which had struggled to keep pace with population pressures and the needs of the growing community.

 

The Minister said this was part of a State Government focus on providing improved services and facilities to people in the Pilbara.

 

“The new CT scanner can perform complex examinations and procedures and help with early diagnosis of many diseases, ensuring patients receive the right treatment more quickly,” Mr Grylls said.

 

“Every day around eight patients are being scanned at Nickol Bay Hospital with some days seeing as many as 12 scans done. Historically, about four patients a day would be referred from Karratha to Port Hedland for a CT scan, so having this equipment available locally is already benefiting a lot of residents,” he said.

 

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith said the CT scanner is just one of many initiatives that will continue to provide enhanced health services in the region through the Pilbara Health Initiative and ultimately improve outcomes for Pilbara communities.

 

“This is great news for Karratha and surrounding community residents,” said Mr Howard-Smith.

 

“It brings exciting state-of-the-art technology to Nickol Bay Hospital that will benefit patients for years to come,” he said.

 

Health Minister Dr Kim Hames said installation of the scanner has also required upgrades to the hospital’s medical imaging department.

 

“The upgrades to the hospital have created a modern, contemporary medical imaging facility for residents of the region,” Dr Hames said.

 

“The new machine will mean fewer trauma patients will need to be transferred to Port Hedland for investigations and it will also help with diagnosis and follow-up screening of cancer patients.”

 

The State Government has also provided $10million of Royalties for Regions funding for a package of urgent upgrades to health services and staff accommodation at Nickol Bay Hospital, and a further $2.5million to hospitals throughout the Pilbara to replace clinical and imaging equipment and step up health services to Pilbara communities.