Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, better known as MRI, will soon be coming to Lennox and Addington County General Hospital courtesy a $1 million investment from the province.
Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee was joined by Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Robin Martin at the hospital’s Airhart Room on Thursday to announce the funding.
“I am so pleased to see this next step in the amazing healthcare services provided by Lennox and Addington County General Hospital,” said Bresee. “The hospital has always been there for this region and has stepped up to provide enhanced healthcare services to an ever broader range of people. By providing MRI services here, we will see faster response and treatment with less travel requirements.”
Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee was among those in attendance to announce the province would be providing $1 million in funding to LACGH to purchase and operate an MRI machine. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Bresee shared a personal anecdote, noting a few years back he had a knee injury and required an MRI. With no machine available locally, he had to travel to Kemptville for his scan.
An MRI machine provides a non-invasive medical image, capturing detailed photos of organs and tissues, a critical tool in the diagnosis of brain injuries, heart disease, cancers and joint injuries.
“Our government is improving access to care here in Lennox and Addington by providing funding for the operation of the very first MRI machine here at Lennox and Addington County General Hospital,” said Martin. “This is part of our government’s investment of $20 million in operating funding to support the addition of 27 new MRI machines in hospitals across Ontario in smaller communities like this one and patients whom this hospitals serve have often had to travel outside the community to receive an MRI scan.”
Dr. Annette Polanski, medical director of diagnostic imaging, says the MRI machine allows their staff to continue the ‘magical’ work they do.
Dr. Annette Polanski, medical director of diagnostic imaging at LACGH. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
“I use the word magical even though I’m a medical director of technology and I’ll tell you why,” said Polanski. “I work with the most dedicated staff of technologists and stenographers. The most supportive clerical staff, PACS administrators and IT that understand what I need to be able to deliver care. Everybody on the ground watches to make sure that our patients in the community and in the hospital are served to the highest quality they can possibly get. That is supported by our considerate and compassionate clinicians and our nursing staff, our extremely visionary and enabling administrative staff and our very supportive board and foundation members who really help us to do our jobs.”
Erin Brown, chief diagnostic and therapeutic services officer, says the MRI machine is not only a boost for patients, but for staff as well. Having the latest technology on site is a tool used to help recruit and retain medical staff.
The funding now in place, LACGH CEO Wayne Coveyduck said the hospital will now go through the acquisition and licensing steps needed before the machine can be installed onsite. Exact timelines aren’t known at this time, but Coveyduck did it could be by the end of 2023. Once up and running the machine will serve 5,000-7,000 patients a year from the surrounding area.