A new Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre will be established in Hobart under a re-elected majority Liberal Government.

The $15 million breast imaging service in Hobart is part of the Liberals’ 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future and will accept referrals from GPs, making it easier for Tasmanians to access imaging.

Liberal Member for Clark, Madeleine Ogilvie, recognised the growing need to meet demand and said patients requiring diagnostic breast imaging and mammography services deserve timely access to services.

“In March last year, the Rockliff Liberal Government introduced a new service that provides diagnostic breast imaging to patients, as part of their public outpatient or inpatient admission,” Ms Ogilvie said.

Currently GP-referred diagnostic imaging is only available in the private sector, causing long wait times and sometimes, trips to the mainland.

“This expansion will complement the existing service, and the services provided by the private sector,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“Under our 2030 Strong Plan we’re going to ensure Tasmanians can get the support they need right here in the State.

“We know that around 10 per cent of women receive abnormal screening result, which means that around 3,500 Tasmanians will benefit from our new Breast Care Centre.

“The new $15 million public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre will increase capacity, while reducing wait times, as well as the financial impact, on Tasmanians requiring these services.

“The Centre will be co-located with BreastScreen Tasmania in a new multi-disciplinary Breast Care Centre in Hobart, and will be ready for operation in 2025.”

A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will provide immediate funding of $15 million to get this new Centre up and running. We will also provide $3.2 million over three years for annual operation.