Mammography group buy brings latest technology to regional and mobile screening centres

HSV has partnered with BreastScreen Victoria to purchase 15 new high-specification mammography units, including a new model for BreastScreen Victoria’s mobile screening service.

BreastScreen Victoria Chief Operations and Innovation Officer Luke Neill said the 12-month procurement initiative was necessary to replace old equipment.

“The new equipment is essential for our clients. With more reliable mammography machines we’ll be able to service the community for at least the next 10 years,” he said.

The $2.7 million project, which is expected to conclude in July 2024, involved a complex procurement process that incorporated varying specification requirements for different screening centres together with onsite installation. The mammography machines have enhanced features with advanced capability to carry out procedures such as biopsies.

Luke says working with HSV meant that BreastScreen Victoria was able to secure machines at a significant discount and get access to the latest technology.

“One of the units is a new model and I believe we’re one of the first services in Australia to have this installed. Working with HSV also alleviates the administrative burden on us. We can leave it up to the team to deal with vendors,” he says.

In 2023-24, BreastScreen Victoria screened a record 282,000 clients including more than 9,000 regional clients who accessed breast screens on mobile vans. 

BreastScreen Victoria diagnoses a third of all breast cancers in Victoria across 51 statewide locations and two mobile vans that service rural Victoria. Australia now has one of the best breast cancer survival rates in the world – 91.8 per cent after five years.

In the financial year ending 30 June 2024, total expenditure coordinated by HSV’s Equipment Sourcing team on behalf of health services reached $53.7 million, an increase of 6.5 per cent since 2023. A further $37 million worth of equipment sourcing projects are currently in progress, due for completion in FY25.

The savings and value for money gained through procuring equipment with increased functionality and higher specifications for a lower outlay may not be recognised as a cost reduction, but it brings clear financial, operational and administrative benefits for health services. HSV continues to seek opportunities to assist health services with major equipment expenditure.

Head of HSV’s Equipment Sourcing Program Mark Lennen says the partnership with BreastScreen Victoria on the mammography sourcing activity is a great example of how strong collaboration between agencies can drive optimal commercial and qualitative outcomes for the health sector.

“The team continues to strive to meet and exceed the needs of health services, while always aiming to get the best possible commercial outcome,” he said.

Additional major equipment sourcing projects currently underway include haemodialysis machines for two major metropolitan health services - a first for HSV, and multiple medical imaging activities for regional health services, including Albury Wodonga Health and Swan Hill District Health.

For more information about support for medical equipment procurement, please contact one of your HSV Customer Relationship Managers or the HSV Helpdesk at helpdesk@healthsharevic.org.au or phone 03 9947 3900.

Top image: Radiographer Pushpa Rajendran with the new mammography unit at Geelong BreastScreen.