News release

New MRI for Halifax Infirmary

Health and Wellness
Public Works

Patients at the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre will soon have access to a new state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

The government is investing $5 million to cover the purchase, installation and operation of a new MRI unit, which is essential to meet the clinical requirements and acceptable wait time standards for cardiac and neurology health services.

“Nova Scotians deserve timely access to high-quality healthcare. This includes having access to the equipment needed for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “The new MRI at the Halifax Infirmary will provide patients and medical staff with up-to-date equipment and address wait times for required care.”

MRI machines use powerful magnets and computers to take detailed pictures of internal organs and systems inside the body. These pictures are necessary for clinicians to make important decisions about treatment.

The new scanner will replace the existing one at the Halifax Infirmary, which is the busiest in the province and has exceeded its lifespan. It will be the primary unit for both cardiac and neurosurgery for the province and neurology at the QEII.

The unit will operate seven days a week and average 100 hours of use per week. It is expected to be operational by fall 2022.

Quotes:

“This is fantastic news for the patients of Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. Our existing MRI at the Halifax Infirmary is the busiest in the province and getting a new system will reduce our downtime and increase the number of scans that we can perform. This will mean more access to better care for our patients.”

– Dr. James Clarke, Chief of Diagnostic Imaging, Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health,

Quick Facts:

  • MRIs in Nova Scotia are typically used for more than 6,400 scans per year
  • the QEII Health Sciences Centre includes the Victoria General and Halifax Infirmary sites
  • the QEII Health Sciences Centre has on average each day 3,454 outpatient/clinic visits, 206 emergency visits and 75 surgeries
  • 102,215 patients visited the Halifax Infirmary site for outpatient care in 2019-2020
  • improved infrastructure helps with recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals

Additional Resources:

Nova Scotia Healthcare Redevelopment website: https://healthredevelopment.novascotia.ca/

Department of Public Works Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks

Department of Health and Wellness Twitter: https://twitter.com/nshealth

Department of Health and Wellness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaHealthAndWellness/

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