Health and Community Services
June 1, 2009New MRI Announced for Central Newfoundland
The province�s newest Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit will be
housed at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander. The
Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services made
the announcement today. Consultants were engaged to research and make a
recommendation for the appropriate location of the MRI unit. The
Provincial Government has accepted that recommendation.
"We are pleased to be moving forward with this investment in health
care for those living in Central Newfoundland," said Minister Wiseman.
"The addition of the MRI in Gander will result in further improved
health care services in this region. This new unit will increase the
number of examinations performed in the province."
The new $3 million MRI unit is the fourth for the province. It will
be used for both the adult and pediatric patient population. It will be
accessed primarily by patients in the Central Region. The Provincial
Government engaged a group of three independent consultants from outside
the province, one of whom is a radiologist with experience in MRI
technology. The group assessed a number of factors including access and
demand in determining Gander as the appropriate location of the MRI
unit.
We are very pleased with this announcement by government," said Karen
McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, Central Regional Health Authority.
"Our efforts will now turn to acquiring and installing the new unit in a
timely manner."
The MRI unit in Central Newfoundland emphasizes the continued
commitment by the Provincial Government to invest in health care
facilities and services in the region. In the past three years,
significant investments have included:
$13.2 million in specialized medical, laboratory and patient
support equipment for Central Newfoundland;
$10.5 million for continued redevelopment of the James Paton
Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander which includes tenders
for upgrades to the patient rooms in the old wing and day
surgery suite to be called in August;
"Ensuring the residents of this province have access to quality and
timely care is a key priority for our government," said Minister
Wiseman. "As we look to the future, we will continue to make strategic
investments across the province that build upon the strong foundation we
have put in place to further enhance the health and prosperity of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
There are currently three other MRI units in the province and these
are located in St. John�s and Corner Brook.
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