Merry Christmas!

Our community still has one more Christmas present to open!

Last December, the Ministry of Health awarded the Brant Community Healthcare System approval to operate an MRI program. This was about the best Christmas gift our community, and everyone that worked so hard to win approval, could receive.

So, what has been happening since the announcement? In a word: lots!

“Our MRI planning team is working hard,” Derek Coenen, manager- diagnostic imaging reports. “We have made considerable progress and many things are happening simultaneously.”

Brantford General was one of four hospitals to receive ‘Christmas presents' last December. Along with Guelph General Hospital and Quinte Health Care (Belleville) we are moving forward together. Each hospital will launch their own MRI program, but we will pool our knowledge gained during the design, build and implementation of our MRI programs.

“Our team has completed its research and visited different MRI suites and met with manufacturers and users,” Derek explained. “In the end we all decided on the identical MRI machine- a Siemens Avanto with TIMS. TIMS stands for total imaging matrix system. Dr. Mark Lighter, an MRI-trained radiologist at Brantford General described it this way. “TIMS provides a degree of flexibility not offered on other MRI units. It is built to take advantage and optimize the highest level of MRI technology. This represents a significant platform change in MRI technology. Brantford General will have a state-of-the-art MRI unit.”

The MRI unit should arrive in town about mid-August. Meanwhile, the implementation team is tending to other duties to prepare for a fall opening.

George Pankiw, director- facilities and redevelopment has the MRI suite layout drawings, showing the rough design of the area, signed off. The detailed drawings are underway and will likely take a month or so.

While the MRI suite is built, the MRI unit delivered, installed and tested, Derek will assemble the team of professionals required to operate the MRI. “We have three MRI- trained radiologists (Dr. Lighter, Dr. Khan and Dr. Fleming) already on staff. We will be hiring a technical support specialist and two MRI technologists. The technical support specialist is the ‘champion' of the service, meaning they ensure MRI procedures are performed in a safe, orderly manner in accordance with the standards of practice of the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario.”

The approval of the MRI program at Brantford General came about because of the efforts of our entire community. The Rizzo family, Mayor Mike Hancock, numerous business leaders, and certainly Dave Levac, MPP come to mind right away.

The Ministry will cover the annual operating cost, approximately $800,000 in order that we can provide 4,100 MRI scans a year.

“Our community must raise $3-million for the MRI program,” David Neill, President, Brantford General Hospital Foundation reports. “We need to purchase the MRI unit, the suite has to be built and additional computers are required- the list goes on and on. The Ministry of Health does not pay for any of this.”

The Foundation staff and Board are working diligently towards the $3-million goal. “We are half way there,” Cindy Carson, major gifts officer, Brantford General Hospital Foundation said. “Anyone that wants to donate should contact me at the hospital Foundation. Once we have another $1.5-million we can celebrate Christmas.”

Six months from today, 182 more sleeps, it will be Christmas and Brantford's MRI program will already be operating. For everyone that donates to the MRI it will be a Christmas our community will never forget.

Gary Chalk is Senior Executive Director- Public Affairs & Development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris is a multi- service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.