March 24, 2009
Breast Screening Unit Receives Blessing
In a short ceremony on Monday 23 March the new Breastscreening unit at Grey Base Hospital received a blessing from local maori enabling the commissioning process for the facility to go ahead.
Operated by Canterbury Breastcare for Breastscreen South, the new facility offers improved services on the mobile bus that previously provided the screening for West Coasters.
Canterbury Breastcare staff Rose Griffiths, Sue Lee, Vanessa Whata and Angela McArthur in the new waiting area along with a piece of pounamu "Te Atawhai" gifted by the local runanga to give blessings, grace, support, nurture and care to all those who enter and work in the unit.
Digital technology means that any technical issue that previously would have resulted in a woman needing to be recalled for another appointment can be dealt with while the woman is still at the unit.
Ultrasound and biopsy services will also be available, whereas previously women would have needed to travel to Christchurch.
The unit has employed a local receptionist, Vanessa Whata and will also be staffed by a pool of Canterbury Breastcare radiographers who will travel to the Coast each week.
Formal opening of the facility will occur in about two months. In the interim, the unit will be commissioning equipment and training staff by operating to clear previous backlogs of women requiring screening.
For more information please contact
Nicky Cummings
Manager
Canterbury Breastcare
249 Papanui Rd
Christchurch
Phone: (03) 355-1194
Email:
or...
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email: