Thursday, 7 December 2023
Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.
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Dorothy’s CT scan a first for Waiben
Dorothy Elu underwent for first CT scan at Thursday Island Hospital. Pic Supplied. Waiben’s new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner is now fully operational and has scanned its first patient. It meant that instead of travelling to Cairns, as would previously have been the case, patient Dorothy Elu was able to have her scan close to home for the first time on Wednesday last week.
The trip to Cairns would have meant two to three days away from home. CT scans generate images that allow clinicians to visualise segments of bone and soft tissue from multiple perspectives and ensure a full range of information required for diagnosis and management. “It’s really good news for me,’’ Mrs Elu said.
“I have children and grandchildren on Thursday Island, and it would be hard being away for several days. “I only just came back from Cairns not long ago from another appointment and didn’t want to have to go all the way back again. “It’s great just being able to go down the road to the hospital here to get my scan.’’
The $2.14 million CT scanner project was an addition to the $64.4m overall redevelopment of Thursday Island Hospital underway and scheduled for completion in early 2024. “I’m thrilled for Mrs Elu and the 50 – 60 patients per month who no longer need to travel outside of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area region
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to receive these scans,” Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said. “We know that leaving family members when you need to travel for care can be challenging and is why our more than $64 million redevelopment of Thursday Island Hospital is so important.”
The CT scanner was the first for the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, and the second for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service after the installation of a CT scanner at the Weipa Integrated Health Service in 2021. It was expected to initially benefit between 50 – 60 patients a month.