Better Healthcare Bonus provides Cairns PET scanner

Published Monday, 03 June, 2013 at 04:00 AM

Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg

The Newman Government’s $100 million Better Healthcare Bonus, achieved through better management by local Hospital and Health Boards, will fund the establishment of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner for Cairns Base Hospital.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Board chairman Bob Norman announced the decision today, saying three million dollars of the $3.8 million cost would be contributed from corporate savings within Queensland Health.

“The bulk of the Government’s Better Healthcare Bonus is providing increased elective surgery across the state,” Mr Springborg said.

“It is a combination of $80 million – the proceeds of better local management in HHSs - and $20 million from the corporate restructure of the Queensland Health head office.

“In allocating this money, the Government recognises the high performance of the health workforce in Cairns, who were the first in Queensland to achieve the national average price for the efficient delivery of local health services.”

Mr Norman said the HHS would provide the remaining $800,000 of the cost for the new machine, which would enable Cairns and hinterland residents to access new technology without the cost and inconvenience of travelling to Townsville or Brisbane.

“The PET scanner will improve our local capacity for medical diagnosis by providing 3D imaging,” Mr Norman said.

“This is of particular value in preparation for surgery and in the areas of oncology and radiation therapy.

“We have invested in local cancer services and this scanner will complete the range of our supporting infrastructure.”

Mr Springborg said Cairns HHS deserved recognition for the efficient design of its health delivery systems.

“Their sustained high level of performance delivers high quality health care to local residents, while preserving resources to keep output at a maximum,” he said.

“Plans for a PET scanner in Cairns have been raised at the political level for some time. Now the Better Healthcare Bonus makes it possible.”

Mr Springborg paid tribute to the board for its many achievements over the past year and to Cairns MP, Gavin King for his continued campaign for better health resources in the far north.

[ENDS] 3 June 2013

Media contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230