South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, NS. Photo: CKBW
South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater is set to get an MRI machine as part of ongoing projects to upgrade the hospital.
The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner will be a part of the South Shore Regional Hospital Redevelopment Project, announced in April 2020 by the province.
“Access to an MRI is a service our community and the entire South Shore have been wanting for a long time,” said Eric Whynot, Chair of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore’s Board of Directors.
In addition to the MRI, the development plan includes the expansion and renovation of the emergency department, endoscopy and day surgery units, physical plant, and the addition of a dialysis unit.
The South Shore Health Services Foundation now says they will undertake their largest-ever fundraising effort as they look to reach a goal of $5-million.
Arlene Stevens, Executive Director of the Health Services Foundation says they are just now beginning to plan their fundraising efforts, with her hoping to reach their goal in about two years.
“We’ll be doing many of our regular fundraising initiatives but we will also be reaching out to individuals and businesses we think are keen to invest in a project that will improve the quality of medical care offered here on the South Shore,” Stevens said.
Stevens also expressed how beneficial an MRI will be for the region, pointing to this week’s snowstorm as an example saying, “People won’t have to drive in the snow to try and make your appointments and by having an MRI here it should be easier to get an appointment for residents in our area.”
The province has not announced when they hope to have the MRI installed but Stevens estimates it is still a few years away from operation.
