The Northern Territory will get its cyclotron — necessary to enable the Territory’s own PET scanner to operate — after all

THE Northern Territory will get its cyclotron — necessary to enable the Territory’s own PET scanner to operate — after all

The NT and federal governments are expected to announce today that funding has been found for a cyclotron to be based in the Northern Territory

THE Northern Territory will get its cyclotron after all.

The NT and federal governments are expected to announce today that funding has been found to pay for the machine.

The cyclotron will produce the radioactive tracers needed to operate the Territory’s PET scanner.

Ex-federal health minister Sussan Ley pledged $15 million for a PET scanner and cyclotron last May.

But the NT Government quietly scrapped plans for the cyclotron in January, after estimates showed its inclusion would blow the total cost out to $21.3 million.

At the time, the Australian Medical Association warned without a cyclotron, the cancer scanner would be an expensive white elephant.

Despite this warning, Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles said she had seen modelling which showed a cyclotron was not necessary.

The NT is the only jurisdiction without a PET scanner, forcing about 250 Territorians to travel interstate each year for diagnosis.