Question regarding the provision of laser treatment machines for breast cancer patients with lymphoedema in Bridgetown and Manjimup hospitals, and the associated costs. The Minister for Health responds, clarifying treatment availability and costs.

AnsweredQoN 1190Legislative Council
Asked
6 December 2006
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

BREAST CANCER PATIENTS - LASER TREATMENT
I ask this question on behalf of Hon Robyn McSweeney, who has been called away on urgent parliamentary business. I refer to laser treatment for breast cancer patients who are left with lymphoedema. (1) Collie and Bunbury have laser machines and many people from the lower south west have to travel to these towns for treatment. Is there any intention to provide a machine in the Bridgetown or Manjimup hospitals in the near future? (2) What is the cost of a laser machine? Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Patients from across the south west are treated with laser therapy at Collie by a physiotherapist who is specially skilled in providing this treatment. Laser therapy for lymphoedema patients is available only at Collie District Hospital. Treatment is often provided over several days as a block treatment, with accommodation available on the hospital site for those patients wishing to stay in Collie during the treatment blocks. Three of the patients travel from Bridgetown or Manjimup. (2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.
(1) Collie and Bunbury have laser machines and many people from the lower south west have to travel to these towns for treatment. Is there any intention to provide a machine in the Bridgetown or Manjimup hospitals in the near future? (2) What is the cost of a laser machine? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Patients from across the south west are treated with laser therapy at Collie by a physiotherapist who is specially skilled in providing this treatment. Laser therapy for lymphoedema patients is available only at Collie District Hospital. Treatment is often provided over several days as a block treatment, with accommodation available on the hospital site for those patients wishing to stay in Collie during the treatment blocks. Three of the patients travel from Bridgetown or Manjimup. (2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.
(2) What is the cost of a laser machine? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Patients from across the south west are treated with laser therapy at Collie by a physiotherapist who is specially skilled in providing this treatment. Laser therapy for lymphoedema patients is available only at Collie District Hospital. Treatment is often provided over several days as a block treatment, with accommodation available on the hospital site for those patients wishing to stay in Collie during the treatment blocks. Three of the patients travel from Bridgetown or Manjimup. (2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Patients from across the south west are treated with laser therapy at Collie by a physiotherapist who is specially skilled in providing this treatment. Laser therapy for lymphoedema patients is available only at Collie District Hospital. Treatment is often provided over several days as a block treatment, with accommodation available on the hospital site for those patients wishing to stay in Collie during the treatment blocks. Three of the patients travel from Bridgetown or Manjimup. (2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Patients from across the south west are treated with laser therapy at Collie by a physiotherapist who is specially skilled in providing this treatment. Laser therapy for lymphoedema patients is available only at Collie District Hospital. Treatment is often provided over several days as a block treatment, with accommodation available on the hospital site for those patients wishing to stay in Collie during the treatment blocks. Three of the patients travel from Bridgetown or Manjimup. (2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.
(1) Patients from across the south west are treated with laser therapy at Collie by a physiotherapist who is specially skilled in providing this treatment. Laser therapy for lymphoedema patients is available only at Collie District Hospital. Treatment is often provided over several days as a block treatment, with accommodation available on the hospital site for those patients wishing to stay in Collie during the treatment blocks. Three of the patients travel from Bridgetown or Manjimup. (2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.
(2) The cost of a laser machine similar to that provided at Collie District Hospital is currently between $35 000 and $40 000. There are additional costs of ancillary items and physiotherapist training to be considered.

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