BreastScreen Tasmania bus off the road for urgent repairs after water damage

A vital breast-screening service for rural and regional women is off the road for urgent repairs. Read the impacts.

The Breastscreen Tasmania bus based in southern Tasmania.

The future of a vital cancer screening service is up in the air with hundreds of patients already impacted after a mobile breast screening bus was taken off the road.

Department of Health secretary Dale Webster confirmed to the Mercury that one of two BreastScreen Tasmania buses was not in use after recent water damage.

He said about 150 people at Huonville and 100 at Dunalley who had made appointments for breast screening had been told they would have to be done at Hobart or Rosny.

“Due to unforeseen technical issues arising from recent water damage to the BreastScreen bus, BreastScreen Tasmania has had to remove the vehicle for immediate electrical repairs, resulting in pausing the current visit in Huonville and the upcoming visit to Dunalley in May,” Mr Webster said.

“We sincerely apologise to those impacted and have directly communicated with clients to offer alternative appointments at other BreastScreen Tasmania sites at Rosny Park and Hobart to ensure women can still access their screenings.

“Immediate action is being undertaken to find an interim solution to ensure the continuation of the 2025 Southern Tasmania schedule.”

The bus, known as Luna, is 21-years-old and due to problems has had to be towed on a trailer to attend some towns.

It is one of one of two operated by BreastScreen Tasmania with the other bus, Ida, working across the North West.

Department of Health Secretary Dale Webster.

Mr Webster said both buses visited 30 regional and rural towns providing “the vital service to approximately 1300 women per year”.

He said Luna was approved to be replaced two years ago with funding committed for a permanent replacement of the bus and “that project is ongoing”.

“We are in the process of procurement now,” Mr Webster said.

“But it will probably be 12 months before we get a new bus.”

Mr Webster expects the bus could be out of action for six weeks with all electrical equipment having to be tested.

Break O'Day mayor Mick Tucker.

Local Government Association of Tasmania president Mick Tucker was unaware the bus was out of action but said it needed to be repaired and back on the road without delay.

He said his own Break-O-Day Council had “fought hard” to get the BreastScreen bus to visit the East Coast.

“It has been great to have it and it’s a very important part of ladies’ health care in the area,” Mr Tucker said.

“People in rural and regional areas should not be disadvantaged and they should urgently repair it and get it back on the road ASAP.

“Early detection and prevention are way better than the cure (with cancer).”

Labor health spokeswoman Ella Haddad said the mobile units provided “crucial screening services for women living in rural and remote Tasmania”.

Ella Haddad Labor member for Clark. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Frankly, this sort of neglect and inaction is not good enough,” she said.

“It’s deeply concerning that the Liberal minority government’s failure means that one of the units will be out of service and women will miss appointments, especially when the early detection of breast cancer can and does save lives.

“This is yet another example of how the Rockliff minority government’s budget disaster is impacting Tasmanians.”

Mr Webster said anyone requiring a screening for breast cancer should call 13 20 50 to book an appointment.

Originally published as BreastScreen Tasmania bus off the road for urgent repairs after water damage