Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith today opened the newly refurbished Anatomical Pathology Laboratory at Canberra Hospital, increasing capacity to support faster and more efficient diagnostic services.
The refurbishment has modernised the laboratory and surrounding work areas with more space, better equipment, improved facilities and an overall safer workplace for the staff who help diagnose disease and guide treatment for patients.
Demand for Anatomical Pathology services continues to grow, with the team of pathologists, scientists and administration staff managing a more than 30 per cent increase in workload in recent years.
The expanded laboratory will help meet this increasing demand and ensure patients continue to receive timely test results and diagnoses.
The refurbishment also supports the increasingly busy service to remain at its current location ahead of the future Pathology Clinical Services Building planned under the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith:
“Most people never see the work that happens in Anatomical Pathology, but it plays a vital role in diagnosing disease and helping clinicians provide the right treatment for patients.
“This refurbishment gives our pathology staff more space, better equipment and a safer working environment.
“The service has experienced significant growth in recent years, and these upgrades will help the team keep pace with growing demand.
“Thank you to the staff who continued delivering these essential services throughout the refurbishment while also responding to a substantial increase in demand.
“Investing in pathology services is an investment in better healthcare for Canberrans.”
Quotes attributable to Adrienne Morey, Clinical Director, Anatomical Pathology, ACT Pathology:
“The upgraded laboratory gives our team a much more functional and efficient workspace, helping us manage growing demand while continuing to deliver high quality diagnostic services.
“Behind every specimen we examine is a person waiting for answers. These improvements will help us provide timely diagnoses that support treatment decisions and patient care.
“The refurbishment has been designed around how our teams work day to day, creating a safer and more collaborative environment for our team, while helping us meet future demand.”
