Member for Monaro John Barilaro was today joined by Deputy Premier Troy Grant to announce the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has committed funding for the first CT (Computed Tomography) scanner to be installed at Queanbeyan Hospital.

A CT scanner combines special X-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images of the inside of the body. It provides greater clarity and gives a radiologist more detail to interpret scans of the body which often lead to quicker and more successful diagnosis of many diseases.

Member for Monaro John Barilaro said work is expected to commence to install the CT scanner in mid-2015 with the NSW Government investing $736,664 to purchase and calibrate the new CT equipment as part of the Rural Health Service Capital Investment Program.

“Today’s announcement is a win for Queanbeyan and demonstrates the NSW Liberals & Nationals are getting on with rebuilding our health system after 16 years of Labor neglect,” Mr Barilaro said.

“The CT scanner will assist clinicians in the diagnosis of a range of medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and vascular diseases along with spinal and orthopaedic abnormalities.

“Community access to CT services will be improved with Queanbeyan Hospital being able to offer a bulk-billed routine outpatient service, meaning our hospital will soon be home to a comprehensive public diagnostic imaging service.

“There are multiple clinical benefits in having CT services closer to home. Not only does it assist in the diagnosis for stroke patients but it can reduce the length of stay for acute and rehabilitation patients due to early diagnosis and treatment,” Mr Barilaro said.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant said the CT scanner will greatly benefit patients who will now be able to receive this service closer to home.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to ensuring rural and regional communities have access to quality health care closer to where they live and we are delivering on this commitment,” Mr Grant.

“Patients currently have to travel off-site to consulting radiologists or further afield to Canberra to access a CT scanner.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has listened to the community, as well as clinicians, and will provide this service to ensure Queanbeyan Hospital delivers the first-class care it is known for with first-class equipment,” Mr Grant said.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the new equipment will be vital to ensuring patients from across the region have access to quality health services.

“This is about providing patients with the best comprehensive care closer to home. Patients will soon be able to receive this service in the comfort of their own communities,” Mrs Skinner said.