Yarmouth Regional Hospital (File Photo)
Residents of Yarmouth and surrounding communities will soon have access to a new top-of-the-line imaging machine at Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
Premier Tim Houston visited Yarmouth on Friday where he announced the province would be co-funding a new SPEC/CT scanner, with matching funds coming from the the Yarmouth Regional Hospital Foundation.
Currently, the total estimated cost of the scanner and it’s installation is estimated at around $3 million.
“We have a plan to address the challenges Nova Scotians face when trying to access healthcare close to home,” said Premier Tim Houston. “This includes supporting projects that modernize healthcare facilities and equipment to deliver the best care to Nova Scotians, while also attracting the best and brightest healthcare professionals to communities across the province.”
A SPECT/CT, or single-photon emission computed tomography, scanner combines a nuclear medicine scan and a CT scan to create a 3D image that shows precisely how different parts of a patient’s body look and are working, to more clearly identify problems.
The new scanner will replace the current scanner, which has been in service since March 2013.
Dr. Michelle Ong, diagnostic imaging site lead at Yarmouth Regional expressed excitement over the news indicating it provides a major upgrade to their current imaging offerings.
“It is great to be able to replace our old equipment with a unit that has a fully functional nuclear medicine scanner with a diagnostic CT scanner,” said Ong. The dual purpose will improve our service with a more robust delivery of uninterrupted patient care, especially with the CT capability. This greatly relieves the pressures in the region while creating a better work environment for providers.”
The province also announced it will be supporting upgrades to the hospitals electrical system to support a new backup generator for the entire facility, as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the emergency department.
