KINCARDINE – The Ministry of Health has provided additional funding support and final approval for South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) to proceed with the construction of a 2,000 square foot addition to the Kincardine hospital to house a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner.
Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce, made the announcement at the Kincardine hospital on April 25. The addition will be located directly south of the main entrance, adjacent to the east side the existing hospital building, and will include a private CT suite, technologist area, patient prep room, wait space, change room, washroom and stretcher holding area.
The purchase order for the Siemens CT scanner was issued on April 29, 2021, and the equipment is expected to arrive as soon as the addition is ready to receive it. The decision to install a CT at the Kincardine hospital was based on a number of factors, including the demand for CT services at the Kincardine hospital, and to improve the patient and staff experience.
Kincardine has the highest demand for CT scans from emergency department visits and inpatients across the four sites of SBGHC. SBGHC embarked on a plan to move the project through the ministry’s five-stage process for a capital redevelopment project to build the addition that will house the CT scanner. This process is now complete, and the construction tender has been awarded to K&L Construction Ltd. after an open tender process that began in December 2021.
Construction is expected to begin in the coming days, and be completed in approximately eight months. Funding for this project is being provided by the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation and the Government of Ontario, as well as a $1 million contribution from Bruce Power.
“This is indeed great news for the Kincardine and area residents and local health care,” said Thompson. “It has been proven that adding a CT scanner to the Kincardine hospital is a much-needed service. Local volunteers have helped make this happen and I thank them for their steadfast dedication.”
“We are thrilled to receive final approval for this very important piece of equipment,” said Becky Fair, president of the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation. “The CT scanner is part of the bigger picture hospital redevelopment project, and the Foundation is committed to bringing healthcare improvements to our community. We are in the early stages of a multi-year fundraising campaign with a group of committed volunteers to raise these funds. Having a CT scanner in our community means patients will not have to travel to larger centres to receive care. It is a critical step in our plan to attract and retain healthcare professionals. We thank everyone that has helped bring this project to fruition.”
“Access to quality health care is crucial to healthy communities, and we’re committed to doing our part to support healthcare in our region,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s president and CEO. “Our employees are proud of the role we play in supporting our local hospitals, while at the same time supplying life-saving medical isotopes worldwide.”
“Every day, patients are traveling out of the Kincardine community to access CT service, and in many cases, our staff and physicians are leaving the hospital to accompany them. The installation of a CT scanner means that patients can now complete this diagnostic imaging without leaving the hospital, saving time and stress for the patient” said Michael Barrett, CEO of SBGHC. It is a critical step in our plan to attract and retain healthcare professionals. We thank everyone that has helped bring this project to fruition.”
