Collingwood hospital to be equipped with first MRI scanner as part of $20M provincial investment
As Ontario's health care system continues to struggle with staffing shortages and the impact of a tri-demic of respiratory illnesses, the Ford government is hoping new MRI machines will help to ease some challenges.
The province is investing $20 million to build 27 new MRI scanners in rural Ontario hospitals, including Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH), which will get its first MRI machine.
"Five thousand people a year are being taken from this hospital to other communities for these scans," said Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. "That's a lot of people travelling some distance to get much-needed care."
CGMH President and CEO Michael Lacroix hailed the announcement as a means of helping to take away some of the stress felt by patients.
"The travel burden that's been placed on patients and their caregivers has been immense over the years," Lacroix said. "This will ensure that residents from our servicing municipalities have the ability to stay close to home."
While welcomed, Lacroix admits the new machine is only a small component to fixing the challenges of an aging and cramped hospital.
CGMH is currently within phase 2 of its expansion plan with its area municipalities, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, the Blue Mountains and Clearview Township.
"The need for medical services, availability to people who are moving here, there's been a huge demand, an increase by the growth," said Clearview Township Mayor Doug Measures. "We're working together to try to bring this hospital through as soon as possible."
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones was in Collingwood Monday to make the announcement.
Jones confirmed the province is waiting on the hospital's phase 2 proposals to move onto the next step of funding.
"It's part of our commitment to improving healthcare across Ontario," Jones said. "In the current pathway, we have over 50 different hospital plans and projects."
According to the Collingwood hospital, the tentative timeline to begin construction on a new building is by 2027.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ukraine demands emergency UN meeting over Putin nuclear plan
Ukraine's government on Sunday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to 'counter the Kremlin's nuclear blackmail' after Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed plans to station tactical atomic weapons in Belarus. One Ukrainian official said that Russia 'took Belarus as a nuclear hostage.'

Singh 'not satisfied' with confidence-and-supply agreement
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he's 'not satisfied' with his party's confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals — signed a year ago this week — because it's shown him he could do a better job running the country than the current government.
Netanyahu fires defence minister for urging halt to overhaul
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defence minister on Sunday, a day after he called on the Israeli leader to halt a planned judicial overhaul that has fiercely divided the country and prompted growing discontent within the ranks of the military. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv, blocking a main highway, following the announcement.
Military under fire as thousands of troops face lost cost-of-living allowance
The Canadian Armed Forces is under fire for its plan to cut thousands of troops off a cost-of-living allowance without much notice.
Teen dead after 'unprovoked' stabbing at Toronto subway station
Police have identified a teenager who died after being stabbed in an ‘unprovoked’ attack at a Toronto subway station Saturday night, and have charged an adult male suspect with his murder.
Ontario woman's lost wedding dress found by thrift store volunteer after 'long shot' search
After making a 'long shot' plea to the public this weekend, a woman in southern Ontario has found her lost wedding dress, mistakenly donated by her father earlier this year.
Is 'David' porn? See for yourself, Italians ask Florida parents
The Florence museum housing Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece the 'David' invited parents and students from a Florida charter school to visit after complaints about a lesson featuring the statue forced the principal to resign.
Risk of a hard landing for Canadian economy is up, former Bank of Canada governor says
Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says Canada’s economy is at a greater risk of a 'hard landing' — a rapid economic slowdown following a period of growth and approaching a recession.
Study warns flesh-eating ocean bacteria found in warm climates could migrate north as temperatures rise
Global warming could lead to spread of possibly fatal infections deriving from bacteria in warm coastal waters, new research shows.