The State and Federal Governments have honoured the legacy of former Dunkley MHR Peta Murphy, officially opening the brand-new Peta Murphy Breast Imaging Suite at Frankston Hospital.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joined Peta’s family to pay tribute to the cherished member of the Labor Party, beloved daughter, sister, partner and colleague at the hospital where she was treated for cancer.
Like Peta’s seat of Dunkley, named for trailblazing trade unionist Louisa Margaret Dunkley, the leaders said it is fitting to have another trade unionist formally commemorated for her profound legacy to the people of her electorate and beyond.
Funded by the State Government, the new $4.5 million suite will be the first comprehensive public diagnostic breast imaging service at Peninsula Health – encompassing mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, and localisation services for the Frankston and broader Mornington Peninsula communities
The dedicated staff at the suite will deliver approximately 2400 mammograms annually, supporting the estimated 6.3 per cent of Victorians diagnosed with breast cancer each year who live in the region – and will offer both internal and community-based referrals, eliminating the need for day-of-surgery transfers.
It will also help to address the increasing demand for breast imaging services and to reduce the current waitlist at Monash Health in Clayton – giving patients the option to receive these critical services closer to home, rather needing to travel or resort to paying for private local providers.
Across Frankston Hospital, major works are underway on the largest ever health infrastructure investment in Melbourne’s south-east – with the State Government delivering a $1.1 billion redevelopment of the health service to give the Peninsula’s communities access to world-class healthcare, closer to home.
Set for completion in late 2025, the new facility will be able to treat around 35,000 more patients each year – cutting wait times with a new clinical services tower, 130 extra beds, new mental health and oncology spaces, expanded women’s and children’s areas and 15 new operating theatres.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Peta took great pride in the Labor Party’s role in the story of Australia’s public health system. It is so fitting that this wonderful addition bears her name.
Premier Jacinta Allan said: “Peta Murphy was a passionate, fearless and fabulous woman who advocated tirelessly for the people of Dunkley – naming this vital public health service after someone who did so much for her community is the perfect tribute.”