BreastScreen SA has unveiled its brand new $6.5m state-of-the-art Assessment Clinic and State Coordination Unit, after the State Government successfully secured a new site.
The government has invested $5.3m into the new location at the former Wakefield Hospital with a further $1.2m contributed by the Pelligra Group.
The new site is just 500 metres from the original Flinders Street building and includes an additional consult room, as well as larger client waiting areas, and a dedicated results clinic space.
A new location was required following the detection of mould problems at the old building.
The project has also delivered a new ultrasound room, which will be used for training and builds in future capacity for service expansion.
The service includes two brand new mammography machines, using the latest imaging technology to improve the client experience and streamline the workflow for radiographers.
Clients, staff, unions, and other stakeholders were consulted on everything from the layout of the building to the waiting room furniture, artwork, finishings, and even the gowns, to ensure the space enhances both the staff and client experience.
The co-located State Coordination Unit has also been designed to optimise workflow to support the planning, delivery and monitoring of breast cancer screening services throughout South Australia.
The move was necessary after a series of building issues emerged at the Flinders Street site in late 2021, including salt damp, flooding in the basement, and an increase in musty odours around the building, prompting further investigation.
Ongoing monitoring of moisture and airborne spore levels ensured that although moisture levels were elevated, air testing was stable, and it remained safe for staff and clients to be onsite, ahead of the move to the new site.
The new building is on a 10-year lease and will help with the growing demand for services, following a strong response to the introduction of online bookings in September.
BreastScreen SA has experienced a 32% increase in bookings, with the new system making it quicker and easier for clients to secure an appointment at one of 11 clinics including eight fixed screening clinics and three mobile screening units.
Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in women and increases in frequency with age, with one in seven Australian women diagnosed before the age of 85.
It is impossible to tell if you have breast cancer in the early stages, and 90% of women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Screening increases the survival rate for people who have breast cancer, with research showing women who have regular screens reduce their chance of dying from breast cancer by up to 41%.
BreastScreen SA provides free breast screens (breast X-rays) every two years to women over 40, primarily aged 50 to 74 years, with the aim of diagnosing breast cancer at an early stage, before it can be felt.
Around 95,000 women are screened each year, with around five% asked to attend the assessment clinic for more tests.
While most women who have further tests do not have breast cancer, between 650 and 750 cancers are diagnosed through the assessment clinic each year.
Visit www.breastscreen.sa.gov.au to book a free appointment or call BreastScreen SA on 132 050.
