Province announces operational funding for MRI in Palmerston

Patients in North Wellington will be able to access a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine close to home, thanks to provincial funding towards the imaging device at Palmerston and District Hospital.

This $800,800 investment is part of a $20 million investment by the Ontario government to operate 27 new MRIs in hospitals across the province.

The funding favoured communities that were more than an hour away from current MRI services. The new MRI will also help address high MRI wait times in rural areas. This new equipment will alleviate pressure on other hospitals with the machines.

A space to house the new machine was constructed in Palmerston in November 2020.

“We are thrilled with the announcement of new MRI operational funding for North Wellington Health Care (NWHC) and would like to thank the Government of Ontario for their support. This new program will allow us to support our region to access care close to home, in a timely fashion,” said Angela Stanley, President and CEO of NWHC.

Since the funding does not cover the cost of buying the MRI scanner, or creating the MRI area, the money was raised by the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation.

“The Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation welcomes the announcement that MRI technology will be available at the Palmerston and District Hospital, reducing wait times and travel for rural residents in Midwestern Ontario. Our Foundation’s mandate is to raise the funds needed for equipment purchases, keeping our local hospital well equipped and viable. We will rely on the generosity of our local donors, and look further into the broader catchment area for support of this exciting new regional service,” stated Earl Campbell, Chair of The Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation Board.

“This funding is news for all our WHCA rural hospital sites,” added Dale Small, Chair NHWC Board. “We would like to thank the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation for their support for the capital funding required for this project and look forward to working with them and communities to bring this much needed service to our region.” .

Read original story from Midwestern Ontario News – BlackburnNews.com