Health Minister Bronwyn Pike is quite right in commenting on the significant difference the state-of-the-art machine has already made to more than 1500 patients since it became operational earlier this year.

The new scanner is much faster, takes a wider range of images and delivers a significant improvement in quality over the CT scanner it replaced.

This all translates into a better understanding of their condition by their doctors and consultants for the wide range of patients who use the facility.

Medicine is an exact science where knowledge is power - and this technology is all about delivering the best level of knowledge available.

These are exciting times in medical circles in Ballarat.

Both Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital and St John of God, two of the best hospitals in regional Australia, enjoy an excellent working relationship that is of great benefit to public and private patients.

The historic development of a connecting walkway has proved an outstanding success in improving physical access to a wide range of medical services at both hospitals for patients suffering from a wide range of ailments.

Ballarat is now recognised as a significant player in cancer treatment and research - a far cry from the "bad old days" when sufferers took a bus to Geelong for treatment.

Cardiac services are second to none in country Victoria and radiology and imaging services are now well on a par with what one expects to find in a major metropolitan hospital.

And, in the fields of rehabilitation and geriatric care, Ballarat Health Services - Queen Elizabeth Centre is recognised internationally for the quality of its work.

Ballarat's hospitals and the associated services that go to making up this city's complex web of health provision touch thousands and thousands of lives across the region each year.

It is estimated, for example, that 200,000 people are in the Ballarat Health Services catchment area.

While not every outcome can be what people hope for, almost everyone who has to call upon the services available comes away with a positive story about the level of technology in place and the dedication and professionalism of the people delivering

the care.

We are fortunate indeed.