Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital opens BreastScreen NSW centre

Health Minister Jillian Skinner has officially opened the BreastScreen NSW centre at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital.

It is expected that more than 5000 women will be screened within the centre’s first year of operation, a 40 per cent increase on the capacity of the former BreastScreen NSW site in Hornsby.

The purpose-built centre will give women access to an enhanced screening service while offering extended opening hours to cater for women who work.
Skinner hopes the centre will promote regular check-ups and encourage more women aged over 50 to get a mammogram.

“One in nine women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and we know that these women have a strong chance of survival if the cancer is detected early,” Skinner said.

“I encourage all women aged over 50 to undergo a screening mammogram every two years. A 30-minute appointment every two years can give you peace of mind.”
The redevelopment of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai’s breast screening centre is part of an overhaul of health services at the hospital. Following the opening of a $33.5 million mental health unit last year, the breast screening centre will form part of the $120 million pledge that the NSW Liberal and National coalition government made to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital in 2011.

Shadow Minister for health, Dr Andrew McDonald, welcomed the opening of the new screening centre as an example of the much needed focus on health care in northern Sydney.

“As one of the fastest growth areas in Sydney, it is important that hospitals in northern Sydney are prepared to deal with the growing population in the area,” McDonald said.
“Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital is a vital part of the northern Sydney health network and improving access to breast screening for women is a great thing.”

The renovations at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital are part of the government’s $1.2 billion pledge to improve the NSW health system.

The Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai and St Ives Lions Clubs donated almost $100,000 to equip the surgical unit of the new centre with a biopsy specimen unit and a positioning chair.