The Owen Sound Regional Hospital now has a second MRI machine.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the medical imaging department at the hospital Thursday morning to mark the installation and start of operation of the new machine.
“This is a major step in our journey to enhance healthcare services for our community,” says Brightshores Health System President and CEO Ann Ford. “This investment allows us to provide timely and accurate diagnoses to our patients, improving their overall health outcomes. Let me take this opportunity to thank our generous donors who continue to support the purchase of medical equipment.”
Brightshores Vice President of Corporate Services Rebecca Cummings says currently about 12,000 scans per year are completed at the Owen Sound hospital, and the second MRI will allow for significantly increased capacity.
“This will enable us to do about 18,000 per year,” Cummings says. “And to dedicate one of our machines to our stroke patients, our high-priority and inpatients, while allowing routine scans to happen … we’re incredibly fortunate to have this in our area. We’ve already seen the benefits of the second machine. Our wait times are already improving, and we expect they will continue to improve over the coming months.”
The Ontario government announced in December 2022 it would provide $800,000 in annual operating funding for a second MRI machine at the Owen Sound hospital.
The local hospital foundation is trying to raise $3.5-million to help support the purchase and installation of the new machine.
Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation Executive Director Amy McKinnon says donations are still being accepted for this project.