THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
SID SIDEBOTTOM MP
Member for Braddon
4 August 2009
MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN NEW SURGICAL EQUIPMENT FOR
THE NORTH WESTERN REGIONAL HOSPITAL
The Rudd Government has today announced the North Western Regional Hospital in Burnie
has received an additional $1 million in surgical equipment as part of the Government’s
elective surgery funding program.
Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon MP joined with local member Sid
Sidebottom MP to inspect the new equipment whilst touring the hospital.
“The Rudd Government is committed to delivering quality health services, and is determined
to immediately reduce waiting times for elective surgery and put in place long term
improvements to infrastructure that will relieve pressure on waiting lists,” Minister Snowdon
said.
“This equipment worth $1,017,000 million is part of Stage 2 of our Elective Surgery Waiting
List Reduction Plan. Stage 2 also sees the allocation of $1.25 million for Launceston General
Hospital and $795,000 for Royal Hobart Hospital.
“Stage 1 delivered $8.1 million and an additional 1,606 elective surgery procedures to the
people of Tasmania last year.”
Mr Sidebottom said the equipment for the North Western Region Hospital will contribute to a
sustained reduction in waiting times for elective surgery.
“Equipment bought with the funding includes including arthroscopes, day surgery beds, batch
washers, sterilisers, diathermy machines and recovery monitors – all essential equipment,”
Mr Sidebottom said.
The third and final stage of the Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Plan begins later this
year and will provide up to $300 million to the States and Territories.
Media contact:
Kate Sieper (Mr Snowdon) 02 6277 7427 and 0488 484 689
Luke Sayer (Mr Sidebottom) 6431 1333 or 0458 311 355
NEWS 
