15 July 2008

Minister opens Tweed Hospital's new ward and NSW BreastScreen Clinic

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said a new medical ward and BreastScreen NSW Clinic at Tweed Hospital will provide better access to high quality health services for residents of the fast-growing Tweed Shire.

Ms Meagher officially opened the $8.3 million facilities during a visit to Tweed Hospital today.

"Tweed Hospital provides acute care services for a population of nearly 250,000 people in the Tweed Shire and the surrounding region and it is one of the fastest growing areas in NSW," Ms Meagher said.

"The Iemma Government is meeting the increased demand placed on Tweed Hospital with increased investment for expanded and new services.

"The NSW Government is investing $718 million in 2008-09 to deliver better services and improve health infrastructure across the North Coast Area Health Service, an additional $36.7 million on last year."

Ms Meagher was joined by Federal Minister for Ageing and Member for Richmond Justine Elliot for the official opening of the new 30-bed medical ward and a new BreastScreen NSW Clinic.

"The new medical ward and fixed BreastScreen Clinic will provide the additional care that is much needed in the region," Mrs Elliot said.

Mrs Elliot said breast cancer is the leading cancer in women over the age of 35, with nearly three times the incidence of any other cancers in women.

The new ward and clinic are housed in a new three-storey building on the Tweed Hospital campus, which also houses the Tweed Clinical Education and Research Institute.

"The new $6.8 million medical ward is connected to the main wing of the hospital and will provide much-needed extra capacity," Ms Meagher said.

"These additional beds will ease pressure on Tweed Hospital's busy emergency department, allowing patients who need to be admitted to the hospital to move into the ward much quicker."

The $1.5 million BreastScreen NSW Clinic, located on the ground floor of the new building, is one of four fixed BreastScreen clinics on the North Coast, with others located at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

"This new clinic replaces a mobile van and provides clients and staff with a modern, purpose-built facility utilising the latest in computerised radiography technology. The clinic will operate four days a week and provide breast screening for up to 120 women each week," Ms Meagher said.

Ms Meagher said the official opening of the new medical ward and BreastScreen Clinic reinforced the Iemma Government's commitment to delivering high quality health services in the Tweed.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au