The Allan and Albanese Governments have today honoured the legacy of former Member for Dunkley Peta Murphy, officially opening the brand-new Peta Murphy Breast Imaging Suite at Frankston Hospital.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan today 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, 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 Allan Labor 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 2,400 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.
Importantly, 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 Allan Labor 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.
As stated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"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.
"Thanks to Peta's advocacy, the women of Dunkley have a new quality service close to home.
"A proud part of a proud legacy."
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"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."
As stated by Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Peta championed better breast cancer services and advocated for more work on early detection - this new imaging suite will help us do just that, broadening access for the people of Dunkley and surrounding communities."
As stated by BCNA Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services Vicki Durston
"Peta Murphy was a strong advocate with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and our network of people with a lived experience of breast cancer in driving awareness of the need for this service. We are delighted to see this new facility funded by the Victorian Government in her name."
