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September 17, 2009
PORT ALBERNI – Representatives from the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), the West Coast General Hospital (WCGH) Foundation, and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District (ACRHD) joined with others today to celebrate the new CT scanner and new service to WCGH.
“We continue to focus on providing timely and accessible health care services to British Columbians across the province,” said Kevin Falcon, Minister of Health Services. “This investment is part of our three-year $2.9-billion health sector capital plan. Modern, updated diagnostic services benefit patients today and in the future.”
The $724,822 64-slice Toshiba CT scanner is the best in CT technology, and was purchased in full by the West Coast General Hospital Foundation. The Alberni-Clayquot Regional Hospital District has contributed 40 per cent (cost-shared with VIHA) towards the new $940,000 building that now houses the unit.
“It is an exciting day to see this project come to fruition”, said VIHA Board Chair, Jac Kreut. “Having this technology locally is wonderful for the residents that we serve and for our physicians, and it will reduce the need for people to travel outside of their communities,” added Kreut.
Kinetic Construction Limited, a Vancouver Island based contractor, began the project earlier this year and has completed it both on time and on budget.
“The board of directors was so very pleased to see construction begin”, said Linda Dolan, Chair, WCGH Foundation. “We are incredibly pleased to see the project complete, I think that the Midnight Son Peoples Home Association and the community should be very proud of this fundraising success,” added Dolan.
“This is an important day, and I was happy to be here when the earth moved and am ecstatic to be here for the grand opening,” said Glenn Wong, Chairperson of the ACRHD. “We look forward to working with VIHA, the Community and West Coast General Hospital Foundation on other projects to improve health care in the Alberni Valley,” said Wong.
A CT scanner is an X-ray machine that produces images of a cross-section of the tiniest anatomical details of the body. CT scans show different types of tissue with great clarity and are used by radiologists to more easily diagnose cancers, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.
Last year VIHA performed 84,855 CT scans, more than double the number done just six years ago, and we project that we will do approximately 2,500 scans here at WCGH.
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Contact:
Anya Nimmon VIHA Communications
250-740-6980
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