6 July 2018
•Cutting edge technology to enhance State Neurosurgery Service
•$21 million project funded by Federal and State Governments
The new Neville Knuckey Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IOMRI) suite brings state-of-the-art imaging technology to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, the first service of its kind for adults in Western Australia.
Officially opened by Commonwealth Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, and WA Minister for Health and Minister for Mental Health, Roger Cook, the service will enable the State Neurosurgery Service to provide world-class treatment for patients requiring complex neurosurgery.
"MRI services are better able to identify structures within the brain and brain tumours than other imaging techniques," said Minister Wyatt.
"When coupled with real-time imaging during surgery, this provides for significantly more precise procedures, promising improved outcomes for patients."
Minister Cook said the project was born from a vision almost a decade ago to enhance imaging and neurosurgery services.
"This marks a significant milestone for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, the North Metropolitan Health Service and WA Health," said Minister Cook.
"This is national and international best-practice technology that will help save lives and change lives for the better."
The IOMRI bears the name of respected WA neurosurgeon Professor Neville Knuckey who has been a long-time ambassador and supporter of the project, as well as advancing neurosurgery in WA over the past 23 years.
Professor Knuckey formerly headed the Department of Neurosurgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and is currently leading research at WA’s Perron Institute, focusing on preventing brain cell death following stroke.
The $21 million project received $17.6 million from the Commonwealth and $3.45 million from the WA governments.
Construction began in February 2017 with the refurbishment and relocation of the SCGH Short Stay Unit to make way for the new IOMRI which will be in full operation later this year. ---
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