$7.1m PET scan installation
By Deanne Jeffers
FOR the first time, people in the Goulburn Valley will have access to PET scanning locally, with the State Government confirming $7.1M to support the operation of a new Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner at GV Health.
From early 2027, the new PET scanner at Shepparton Hospital will give patients access to advanced cancer diagnostics closer to home.
PET scanners are a specialised form of imaging that shows how the body’s cells are functioning. They help doctors detect cancer earlier, determine how far it has spread, and monitor how well treatment is working, making them a critical tool in modern cancer care.
The introduction of this service means many local patients will no longer need to travel to Melbourne or other centres for PET scans, saving hours of travel time and reducing stress for patients and their families during an already challenging period.
GV Health Chief Executive Matt Sharp welcomed the announcement, confirming that construction to the area to house the new PET scanner is underway.
“This PET scanner will have a significant impact on people across our region, bringing a critical part of the cancer care journey closer to home,” Mr Sharp said.
“It means local families can access advanced diagnostics without the burden of long-distance travel, helping them stay connected to their support networks and community when they need it most.”
Mr Sharp said the investment reflects GV Health’s growing role as a regional hub for complex and specialist health services.
“GV Health continues to grow as a regional centre for critical services. While this is a significant step forward, integrated cancer care under one roof remains a key gap for our region,” he said.
“This announcement is an important step in the right direction, increasing the availability of services locally. We will continue working closely with the Victorian Government to complete the Shepparton Hospital redevelopment, including a fully integrated cancer centre for the Goulburn Valley, with all services under one roof.”
The first stage of the GV Health Shepparton Hospital Redevelopment commenced in 2018 with major construction completed in 2024. Despite this, 50 per cent of the site, as detailed in the masterplan, still needs to be redeveloped. These future works require new capital funding, which GV Health and Greater Shepparton City Council continue to advocate for.
