Welcome mat is out

“The most up-to-date, state-of-the-art MRI in all of Ontario is at the Brantford General Hospital.”

This is what we have been told by specialists who are at the Brantford General Hospital these days getting our MRI shipshape. While we make plans for a community open house this Sunday afternoon for everybody to come and see our latest family member, the manufacturer of our MRI is planning to start to invite hospitals from across Canada to Brantford to see everything our machine can do!

After this Sunday's public open house, the general contractor that has been on-site for the past few months will complete the final touches in the MRI suite and move on to Vancouver where they will install a machine that manufactures drugs to fight cancer. Then, one day next week the day everyone has been waiting for will finally arrive: patient scans on the MRI will begin!

The hospital is funded by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care to complete 4,160 scans a year, which is based on an eight- hour working day. The cost to do these scans, $800,000, is paid by the Ministry. The other side of the financial sheet still needs some help.

“$2,450,000 has been raised to date for the MRI project,” Cindy Carson, principal development officer of the Brantford General Hospital Foundation said. “We still need another $550,000 to reach our goal. The entire community- business, service clubs, community organizations and citizens- has helped so much. The generosity and support has been outstanding. The finish line is within sight”

So, with so much interest in the MRI we're putting out the welcome mat and inviting everyone to come and tour the ‘Sam Rizzo MRI Suite.' This Sunday starting at 1 o'clock and continuing until 3 PM staff will be on hand to lead tours and answer your questions. Tours will leave from the Wescast Ambulatory Care Centre located just inside the entrance to D- Wing.

“Next week is Medical Radiation Technologists week across Canada,” Derek Coenen, manager- diagnostic imaging said. “At the public open house on Sunday visitors will be taken on a tour of the entire diagnostic imaging department. They will see the MRI of course, but also CT, nuclear medicine, mammography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and general x-ray. We will also demonstrate PACS- how we interpret and manage our films digitally.

Derek also talked about the day the MRI arrived in September. “When the 10-ton MRI was lowered through a hatch in the hospital roof it created considerable interest by the pubic. Many people called the hospital inquiring when the MRI service would begin. So we expect the MRI will be the star of the show on Sunday.”

Michael Comeau, MRI technologist came to the Brant Community Healthcare System from Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto- Canada's leading research hospital. He is absolutely thrilled about the MRI service we will be providing. “The department set-up is very nice in design and includes large windows that allow for natural light. Frequently, MRI patients become anxious when they undergo their scan. We don't have any stainless steel counters that are found at some other MRI centres and our patients can watch a wall-mounted television while waiting. We want to make our MRI suite as pleasing as possible to calm our patients and reduce the number of failed exams.”

So, consider this your personal invitation to the coming out party for the MRI. The parking will be free and there will be refreshments. See you Sunday afternoon between one and three o'clock.

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.