MRI Unit Opens at Aberdeen Hospital
The second of six new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units in Nova Scotia was officially opened today, Feb. 1, at the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow.
So far, almost 200 patients have been repatriated from Capital Health and new referrals are coming from Pictou, Colchester and Cumberland counties. The hospital began the MRI service on Jan. 15.
Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, on behalf of Health Minister Chris d'Entremont, said expanding MRI capacity in Nova Scotia was a top priority for the provincial government which announced the purchase of new units in December 2004.
The first new MRI unit in Yarmouth has been seeing patients since August. Kentville and Antigonish will become operational later this spring. The province has also agreed to replace two aging units in Halifax.
About $12.5 million is going toward the purchase and installation of all MRI units. The funding was made possible through the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting Accord.
"We wanted Nova Scotians to be able to get this test closer to home," said Mr. MacIsaac. "This MRI will mean patients in Pictou County needing an MRI will get this important test faster and, if needed, will be able to start treatment sooner."
The Aberdeen Hospital Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Health funded this state of the art MRI unit. The Aberdeen Hospital Foundation, on behalf of the community, fulfilled the financial commitment of 25 per cent (or $978,281) of the cost of the unit.
"The mandate of the Aberdeen Hospital Foundation is to fund medical equipment, with the end goal of improving patient care," said Elizabeth Van den Eynden, chair of the Aberdeen Hospital Foundation. "The acquisition of the MRI does just that. The foundation works collaboratively with the Pictou County Health Authority in identifying equipment needs. Our community benefits from this teamwork." The Aberdeen Hospital Foundation was able to make the financial contribution because of the past generous contributions from the citizens of Pictou County. The funding came from income earned from the foundation's endowment funds which have grown to more than $21 million.
"It is this fund that allows the Aberdeen Hospital Foundation to act decisively when opportunities like the MRI arise," said Ms. Van den Eynden.
An MRI can make detailed three-dimensional images of the body's soft tissues.Until now, MRI machines were located in Halifax and Sydney.
"This new MRI unit means that patients from Pictou County and northern and central Nova Scotia no longer have to travel to Halifax for this important diagnostic test," said Pat Lee, CEO, Pictou County Health Authority. "The time and costs associated with these trips could create hardships for some patients."
"The new MRI unit has also proven to be a valuable way to recruit doctors," said Mr. Lee. "We've had two new MRI-trained radiologists join our staff since this unit was announced."