A new CT scanner has been unveiled in Charlotte County and already serves patients.
The scanner has been a long-term effort between the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation (CCHF) and several community partners and stakeholders, including a radiothon through Acadia Broadcasting.
“This is an amazingly exciting day for us at the foundation and for the people of our catchment area in Southwest New Brunswick,” said CCHF president Steve Backman.
In three months, the organizations and community raised $700,000.
“This hospital was one of the first hospitals in New Brunswick and, probably in Atlantic Canada, to purchase an X-ray machine,” he said. “They purchased a Campbell X-ray in 1920 for the grand sum of $4,200, and that was all raised by donations from the community.”
The journey to get here has been one Backman said wasn’t always smooth, saying it began nearly 15 years ago.
“Our foundation is all about access to health care,” he said.
The new CT scanner could serve up to 4,500 patients in a year. (Vicki Hogarth/The Courier)
He said typically it can take three years to raise the funds required for a piece of equipment like this, but the community and organizations – including a donation from the Saint John Hospital Foundation was critical.
Construction was also required before the scanner could be set up inside the hospital.
“The most important thing was the floor we’re standing on could not support the weight of this heavy piece of equipment,” he said. “The first really big job was to shore up the floor so it could support the weight.”
The CT scanner is welcome news to the Director of Medical Imaging at the CCH Celina Bountalas.
“I think we’ve been surrounded by wonderful friendly faces and the staff have been very excited to watch this wonderful go-alive day,” she said in an interview with The Courier.
About 4,500 patients a year travel to Saint John for a CT scanner, whether in-patient or in an emergency.
“This is the fourth CT scanner being added to the fleet of CTs for the Saint John area,” she said, speaking to the benefit this brings not only to Charlotte County but the pressure it relieves off of Saint John. “We’re really looking at lowering that wait time all across medical imaging for the province.”
In fact, the longest wait time for Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick for a CT scan is at the Saint John Regional Hospital, according to its online dashboard.
A patient could wait up to 508 days for a CT scan if required in Saint John, which up until now included residents in Charlotte County.
“I think in a month’s time, by the end of March, we’ll see that throughput in that volume and we’ll be able to see the wait time come down,” she said.
Charlotte County Hospital Foundation president, left, Steve Backman, Horizon Health Network CEO and president Margaret Melanson, and Horizon’s Director of Medical Imaging Celina Bountalas pictured in front of the new CT machine. (Vicki Hogarth/The Courier)
The CT scanner is expected to be used in all types of situations, including in-patients, out-patients, and emergency situations, Bountalas confirmed.
Both Bountalas and Backman gave thanks to those who helped contribute to the CT scanner’s arrival.
Horizon’s CEO and president Margaret Melanson also said she was surprised by the sheer momentum of how fast the money was raised.
“Your advocacy for healthcare improvements is truly inspiring, and it plays a vital role in our ongoing efforts to enhance the patient experience in all corners of our province,” she said.
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