Major Upgrade for Breastscreen Services to Improve Patient Experience
A new BreastScreen area has been built at the Broken Hill Health Service to make it easier and more comfortable for patients to have their screening. An area of the hospital's Medical Imaging Department has been upgraded to create an all-new department for BreastScreen NSW to conduct consultations and screening.
The upgrade cost nearly $800,000 and has resulted in the creation of a new BreastScreen mammography room, designated consultation room, new entry for BreastScreen patients and a designated waiting room.
A more functional holding bay for medical imaging patients transferred from the ward was also created as part of the upgrade, including a new viewing, stock room and administration area for staff.
The new area commissioned beginning this week will provide a better flow for people accessing the BreastScreen service at Broken Hill Health Service, said Melissa Welsh, Director Allied Health, Partnerships and Innovation, Far West LHD.
Ms Welsh said people coming to the BreastScreen service will now be able to enter and exit without needing to walk past the waiting room, which ensures their privacy.
'It also provides a reception point, private interview room and a dedicated room where sensitive conversations can occur,' said Ms Welsh. The reception and interview space were previously in an open area outside the Pharmacy Department.
Megan O'Brien, Manager BreastScreen for Far West LHD, said it was a very exciting time for the service and for the clients who attend Broken Hill screening and assessment service.
'This redesign has been several years in the making and I wish to thank Broken Hill executive team and the Broken Hill Medical Imaging Department for ensuring this redesign was undertaken and completed. I wish to thank them for keeping the requirements of the Broken Hill clients at the forefront when they assisted us with this design to encompass their screening and assessment requirements,' said Ms O'Brien.
This new redesigned site will allow easy flow through screening and then if recalled to assessment service and improve their flow through the department for further tests whilst maintaining their comfort and privacy.
'The facts remain that 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer but if we diagnose the cancer early then the chances of survival are improved as are the treatment options,' she said.
BreastScreen Broken Hill is currently screening in this new and improved area. Drop in and talk to our friendly staff and take a look at this new and improved site or call +61 132050 to see when your next mammogram is due and make an appointment.
'Please don't delay getting your mammogram. It is completely free and you do not need a doctor's referral. It only takes 20 minutes every two years, so don't put it off come and experience this new area.'
The redesigned space will also ensure that BreastScreen and Broken Hill Health Service meet the accreditation requirements of a BreastScreen service.
The upgrade to the medical imaging department was funded by the Rural Health Minor Works Program.