New CT scanner selected for Kincardine hospital

The South Bruce Grey Health Centre has selected the model of CT scanner for the Kincardine hospital, with the new equipment set to be installed by early next year.

A press release, issued Thursday by the health centre, states that the project continues to advance through the Ontario Ministry of Health capital approval process, with funding commitments from the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation, Bruce Power and the Government of Ontario.

In September, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson announced approval for the health centre to proceed with Stages 1 and 2 of the ministry’s five-stage capital project process for an addition to the Kincardine hospital to house the CT scanner, and a one-time capital grant of up to $1.41-million for construction.

The hospital foundation is committed to fund the cost of the CT scanner, some of the service contract costs, and additional costs for building development, totalling $2.7-million. This includes a $1-million donation from Bruce Power committed to support improvements to the Kincardine hospital emergency department.

At its meeting Dec. 3, the health centre board took another step forward, approving the selection of the CT scanner model that will be installed in the hospital. The model selection is required at this stage of design to meet the ministry’s capital approval requirements, and ensure timely delivery of the unit, states the press release.

After an extensive review of various CT scanner options, to evaluate the needs of patients and clinical staff, quality of imaging, radiation dose, technology, capital cost and ongoing annual operational costs, and consultation with key stakeholders, the board has selected the Edge Plus CT scanner from Siemens.

This is a new model that has just received approval from Health Canada, and the Kincardine hospital will be one of the first installations of the unit in the Canadian market. The Edge Plus features comprehensive technology that produces precision, 4D images with high-speed and low-dose radiation. It can scan virtually all patients with diagnostic confidence – including obese people, children, and patients unable to co-operate.

“We are very grateful for the support of the hospital foundation, Bruce Power and the province to make this project possible,” said board chairman John Gilbert. “The health centre team is working very hard to move through the ministry’s approval process as quickly as possible to get the CT into service so the hospital can better meet the needs of the Kincardine community.”

“The foundation is very pleased to be able to support the Kincardine community with the installation of a CT scanner in the Kincardine hospital,” said president Becky Fair. “The CT will ensure that Kincardine patients can be treated in their own community, reducing the need for them to travel to other centres for a CT scan. We could not do this without the generous support of our community.”

However, not everyone is pleased with the choice of CT scanner.

At the Dec. 7 Kincardine council meeting, a resolution was approved, stating that council supports the Kincardine Physicians Group, and encourages the health centre board to respect the understanding of council and the physicians in the discussions that have surrounded the Kincardine site CT to date.

Both council and the physicians want a Drive CT scanner at the Kincardine hospital. And if that is not the one chosen, council will host a public meeting to review the board decision to purchase the Edge Plus.

At the Dec. 14 Kincardine committee-of-the-whole meeting, mayor Anne Eadie said that Michael Barrett, president and chief executive officer of the health centre, has asked to be a delegation, to come and speak about the CT scanner.

Councillor Gerry Glover said that all parties to this issue, including the Kincardine Physicians Group and the hospital foundation, should be present at any meeting with Barrett.

Council agreed.