CT Scanner an Investment in Improved Health Care

The Department of Health is responding to an urgent need at the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex by making money available to help buy a new CT scanner for the diagnostic imaging service at the regional hospital.

The technology -- CT means computerized tomography -- enables radiologists to view images of organs and systems inside a patient's body and aids doctors in assessing and diagnosing a patient's condition.

The new CT scanner will complement another unit bought three years ago when the Cape Breton Regional Hospital opened. Dr. Brian Quinn, director of diagnostic imaging at the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex, describes the new scanner as state of the art.

"This is a multi-slice unit. It allows us to do more specific examinations of a patient at the same time," Dr. Quinn explained. "Installing the new CT scanner is really going to enhance our service."

The need for a second CT scanner to serve residents of Cape Breton has been recognized by staff at the healthcare complex for some time. The unit will assist the growing number of specialists who practise in the area. These doctors rely on specialized CT service and the demand is increasing as they develop diagnostic and care plans for patients.

The demand for CT service has also increased since the Cape Breton Cancer Centre opened and began offering radiation oncology. CT treatment planning procedures are necessary before a patient receives radiation at the cancer centre.

The new CT scanner will also help to significantly reduce waiting times for examinations, from months to a few weeks or possibly days. At present, the wait for a CT scan is the single longest of any service at the complex. The list currently includes about 1,100 patients.

Planning is under way to renovate space for the CT scanner. It's expected that the new unit could be installed and operating by the end of the year.

The purchase of the CT scanner is part of an overall effort by the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex to provide an improved standard of care for patients in their home area.

"This new equipment will be a welcome addition to the hospital and will help enhance the outstanding clinical services that are available at the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, who helped make the announcement in the absence of Dr. Jim Smith, Minister of Health. "I want to recognize the hard work and generosity of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation for its support.

"Although the province's share of the purchase comes out of the regular budget, the government's new Health Investment Fund includes money for new technology and we expect to make more announcements like this in the future," said Mr. MacDonald.

The cost of the new CT scanner will be in excess of $1 million. The Nova Scotia government is providing 75 per cent of the funding. The remainder will be provided through annual $100,000 allotments from the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. That money comes from the foundation's parking lot revenues at the regional hospital site.

The Cape Breton Healthcare Complex will work with the Western Region Health Board to obtain the best possible price for the CT scanner. That group is also buying a new CT unit. Healthcare complex staff are negotiating with suppliers and searching markets.