MAHC BROKE GROUND TODAY FOR MUSKOKA-EAST PARRY SOUND’S FIRST MRI MACHINE DUE IN SPRING 2025
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
HUNTSVILLE — A Muskoka MRI machine will open for patient services next spring, after today MAHC dug a hole for a 3,700 square-foot addition to its Huntsville District Memorial Hospital site.
With the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare held a ground-breaking this afternoon with hospital officials, MPP Graydon Smith, MP Scott Aitchison and donors.
Magnetic resonance imaging scanners use magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of the body’s interior, which are used to investigate or diagnose conditions that affect soft tissue such as tumours or brain disorders.
The machine is in addition to CT scanners at both MAHC hospitals in Huntsville and south Muskoka at Bracebridge.
The shovel ceremony between showers was held behind the emergency department at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital where excavation is already underway, says a hospitals release.
It says that since the province announced expanded MRI services for the region, behind-the-scenes planning has included architectural design of the space and contractor tender, special designation to operate magnetic resonance and selection of the vendor who will build the donor-funded machine.
“Bringing MRI services to Muskoka and East Parry Sound is a reflection of our government’s commitment to expanding critical healthcare services and infrastructure in small towns and rural communities,” said Smith.
“Our government’s approximate investment of $900,000 per year to fund MRI services will ensure that residents across the area no longer have to travel for hours to access MRI. I want to congratulate the many fundraisers, donors and health leaders who have worked hard to achieve this milestone.”
The Huntsville hospital was designated a District Stroke Centre in 2006 and is currently the only regional stroke program without an MRI to perform essential studies for patients presenting with critically time-sensitive neurological conditions.
Dr. Jason Blaichman, director and chief of diagnostic imaging at MAHC, said that at maturity it will complete 5,000 MRI scans locally every year.
“I cannot overstate how important the MRI project is for all of us here in Muskoka. It has the potential to positively impact the medical care provided by all our physicians, which will ultimately benefit our patients and their families,” the release says.
“It is critical to have the most up-to-date technology to provide the best care possible for our community. By bringing the newest imaging technology to MAHC, we will ensure that we have the resources to support continued growth of the medical expertise provided right here in Muskoka well into the future.”
MAHC says once completed in the spring of 2025, they estimate it will save more than 7,000 hours of driving for patients and 700,000 kilometres of travel to hospitals outside of the region for MRIs.
“From diagnosis to treatment and prognosis, the impact of MRI closer to home for patients within and around our region is significant,” says Cheryl Harrison, MAHC’s president and CEO.
“It means so much for all of Muskoka and East Parry Sound to have top-quality imaging services in our own backyard, and shorter wait times for MRI.”
The MRI project is possible with the support of donors from South River to Orillia and Haliburton to Parry Sound through the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Focus on Imaging campaign.
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