The Charters Towers Health Service will get the city's first CT scanner with an initial investment of $2.25 million to plan and develop a medical imaging service in the community.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath said once the planning phase was complete and the total cost of the project was known, the additional funding required would be provided.
"It is expected that the total investment in the project will be around $4.5 million," she said.
"The CT scanner will mean patients in Charters Towers and the surrounding areas won't need to travel to Townsville for scans.
"Long travel can take a toll on people's health, so it's great patients needing diagnostic scans in north-west Queensland will be able to stay closer to home and their families."
Minister D'Ath said an investment of $750,000 would be used to plan the redevelopment of the facility which will house the scanner, with $1.5 million earmarked for procuring the equipment.
"It's further evidence of the Palaszczuk Government ensuring all Queenslanders have access to world-class health care, no matter where they live."
Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney said the investment followed strong advocacy from the community about the need for CT imaging.
"We listened to the community and the skilled medical staff working in Charters Towers who said this service was critical for the region," he said.
"A CT scanner for Charters Towers has been a top investment priority for the health service.
"We developed a detailed business case and now we are delivering the project to ensure our rural patients get the best care possible," Mr Mooney said.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the announcement was great news for Charters Towers and the surrounding region.
"I'm excited to see the new CT scanner positively impact the lives of people living in the region," he said.
"It is an important piece of infrastructure for health care within the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, one we will see make a difference as soon as it's up and running."
