Liberal candidate for Paramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the announcement that people diagnosed with breast cancer will benefit from an additional $1 million to refurbish the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute under a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.
“The service sees more than 15,000 patients in any given year and offers a comprehensive and holistic service from the time of diagnosis through to five years of breast cancer follow ups,” Ms Mullens said.
“Its only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in more modern and fit for purpose facilities that make a difference for patients in Parramatta and across the state who need care.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project forms part of the Liberal’s $1.2 billion commitment to upgrade hospitals and health facilities across NSW.
“This investment will deliver modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, and will support best practice management of breast cancer patients during what is a very challenging and often uncertain time,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Significant investments like this in our hospitals and health facilities are only possible because of the Liberal’s long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the upgrade will create a more modern facility to provide comprehensive state-of-the art breast imaging and interventional service for women in Western Sydney.
“It will provide private spaces for consultations, improved telehealth capability to reduce the need for women to travel to hospital and facilities that better support collaboration between consultants,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this is an incredible service that brings together surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, specialised breast cancer nurses and allied health teams.
“The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute manages more than 580 surgical procedures per year, offering patients a comprehensive range of surgical options for their breast cancer care, including sophisticated plastic surgery.” Mrs Taylor said.
The Institute’s comprehensive research program spans lab-based, translational and clinical research focused on immediate improvements to patient outcomes.
The Stage 2 upgrade will enable:
- Modernisation of the multidisciplinary room and enable modern communications technology and digital technology advancements to conduct multidisciplinary meetings, consultations, and collaboration in real-time;
- Improve the ability of the various disciplines involved in breast cancer management to collaborate online and in person in the day-to-day management of patients, treatment planning, and follow up;
- Improve the ability to conduct telehealth consultations, enabling confidential virtual consultations with patients, reducing the need to attend the hospital;
- Enable radiotherapy planning in quiet dedicated spaces for radiation oncologists;
- Improve functionality and workspaces for medical and nursing staff; and
- Improve educational facilities for practicums, virtual education sessions, and pre-recorded education sessions.