BRANDON—A new computerized tomography (CT) scanner has been installed and is now operational at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, bolstering diagnostic services for patients by providing faster scans with sharper images and lower exposure to radiation than the machine it replaced, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced here today.
“Our government is committed to improving health care for all Manitobans by investing in necessary equipment upgrades that ensure we are able to deliver care closer to home,” said Friesen. “The new CT scanner enhances the diagnostic services in Brandon by substantial advanced technology and allows more patients to receive service.”
The new CT scanner, which cost about $2 million to purchase and install, began operation July 29, and replaced aging equipment that was nearing the end of its expected lifespan. The news scanner is expected to increase the number of scans able to be performed at the Brandon Regional Health Centre once staff are fully trained on the new equipment, which offers faster scans with sharper images.
A CT scanner uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside the body. It can be used to study many parts of the body including organs, blood vessels, bones and the spinal cord. In 2019-20, the Brandon Regional Health Centre performed 13,745 scans.
“Diagnostics equipment and the skilled staff who operate it are vital to our ability to improve the care we provide to patients at facilities across Manitoba,” said Petr Kresta, chief operating officer of diagnostic services, Shared Health. “Manitoba’s population is growing and aging, and our health system is modernizing to be responsive to the changing health-care needs of patients including efforts to provide services in communities throughout the province. This new CT scanner is a significant investment that will benefit the health of residents of western Manitoba for years to come.”
“CT scanners are a vital tool for clinical staff in the diagnosis of patients for a wide variety of ailments,” said Penny Gilson, CEO, Prairie Mountain Health. “Investing in new equipment at the Brandon Regional Health Centre reflects the government’s continued commitment to the people in this city and the Westman region.”
Manitoba has made significant investments in health care for the Brandon and Westman region in recent years including an extensive $15.8-million renovation and redevelopment of the Brandon Regional Health Centre, the hiring of 10 new full-time rural paramedic positions for the Prairie Mountain Health region last winter and expanded dialysis services in the region.
Manitoba’s Clinical and Preventive Services Plan, released last November, positions the Brandon Regional Health Centre as an intermediate hub in the province’s transformed health system, with recommendations to enhance its capacity to provide higher acuity and specialty services in the future.
Since 2016, the Manitoba government has invested significantly to improve diagnostic services. This includes the launch earlier this year of echocardiography services at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, the installation of a linear accelerator for radiation treatment at CancerCare Manitoba and general duty X-ray machines at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach and the Altona Community Memorial Health Centre.
Other diagnostic equipment purchase and installations in progress include a:
• general duty X-ray machine and a liquid chromatography system at HSC Winnipeg;
• CT scanners at Portage District General Hospital and Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg; and
• a new interventional radiology unit at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.
For more information on Manitoba’s Clinical and Preventive Services Plan, visit:
(Province of MB News Release)
