The North Bay Regional Hospital showed off new technology today as a brand new CT Scan was unveiled to the community.
The new machine came in conjunction with a huge funding donation from the Terry McKerrow Cat Scan Operating Fund as officials from the charity announced a donation of $1 million towards the new machine.
“The generosity from the Terry McKerrow fund goes back 25 years and what an astounding gift they just gave to the hospital,” said Paul Heinrich, President, and CEO of the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
The machine is expected to take over for the current aging CT Scan which officials believe is close to the end of its operating life.
“The main things it brings to our hospital is it brings reduced dose and better image quality,” said Dr. Jeffrey Hodge, Radiologist at the Regional Health Centre.
Hodge is optimistic the new machine will help them work towards getting close to the provincial target wait times.
However, the good news continued as Heinrich stated that Toshiba, who builds the complex scanner, has offered a two for one deal. So once a second CT Scan license is acquired, another new machine will be moved into the current location of the old scanner.
“Of course because it’s another machine you have to pay an additional maintenance contract. Having said that, our long-standing relationship with Toshiba has availed us to really favourable terms of the purchase of 2 for 1 - that’s pretty amazing,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich says the Hospital Foundation continues with its active fundraising campaign.
The hospital CEO expects the new machine to be in operation soon but cannot give a timetable as to when a second machine could be in place.