The West Nipissing General Hospital (WNGH) CT scanner is officially in use.
The hospital celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday in a small ceremony due to COVID-19.
Among the speakers was WNGH CEO Cynthia Desormiers, North Bay Regional Health Centre radiologist Dr. Jeff Hodge, as well as WNGH Foundation board-chair Colin Bourgeois.
The scanner first went live on November 9 and scanned its first patient on the 10.
Since arriving at its new home last month, it’s scanned well over 110 people.
Desormiers says that means they have avoided many CT transfers, which keeps the EMS crews in the community.
“It means our patients and residents and their families have not had to travel unnecessarily outside of West Nipissing. It means residents of West Nipissing have equitable access to a CT scanner, a standard of care,” she said.
Dr. Hodge, who along with his team reads and reviews the CT images produced at the WNGH, says the equipment is a critical upgrade to the WNGH and its staff.
“The doctors here have done a great job without such a critical piece of infrastructure, this will help them make life-saving decisions. […] I’m without a doubt proud to be part of this team,” he said.
Bourgeois added how thankful he was to everyone involved in the project, including Desormier and her team for offering quality care in the community. He also thanked everyone who donated, fellow board members and foundation members that ensure health care is well protected in West Nipissing.
The WNGH has also launched its gold star campaign; for each donation, $1000 or greater will receive plaques to be displayed on the wall adjacent to the CT scanner.