Permanent MRI and new gamma camera to benefit northern patients

For immediate release
September 19 2003, 2:00pm

Permanent MRI and new gamma camera to benefit northern patients and enhance regional role of PGRH

Patients at Prince George Regional Hospital will benefit from state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging with the addition of a permanent magnetic resonance imager and new gamma camera at the facility.

Representatives from the Government of British Columbia, the Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District, the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, and Northern Health took part in a ceremony this afternoon to celebrate the arrival of the nearly $4.2 million in new equipment.

“Improvements such as the permanent MRI and new gamma camera are part of our government’s on-going effort to make Prince George a regional centre of medical excellence in the north,” said Shirley Bond, Advanced Education Minister and MLA for Prince George-Mount Robson. “These additions are vitally important for PGRH as it expands its role as a teaching facility for the Northern Medical Program.”

“State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging equipment is important in providing key procedures for patients across the North, and for the on-going recruitment and retention of health professionals in our region,” said Pat Bell, MLA for Prince George North.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique used to produce high quality images of the inside of the human body. It uses strong radio waves and a magnetic field to take clear and detailed pictures of organs and tissues. PGRH’s permanent MRI replaces a mobile MRI shared between Prince George, Kamloops, and Kelowna.

The cost of the permanent MRI was $3,442,000, funded by:

• The Ministry of Health: $2,065,000;
• The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation: $1,000,000 (The Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Woodward’s Foundation; Auxiliary to PGRH, and BC Access each provided $100,000 to the Spirit of the North Foundation for the MRI); and
• The Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District: $377,000.

The gamma camera is used to provide functional images of internal organs. A radioactive dye is injected into the patient. In conjunction with the gamma camera, the dye assists in examinations of heart wall motion, tumor growth, and bone structure.

The $725,000 cost for the gamma camera was split 60-40 between the Government of British Columbia ($435,000) and the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District ($290,000).

“The support of the community in fundraising for the MRI has been exceptional,” said Diane Rogers, Chair of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation’s board. “The contributions of so many individuals and groups will provide a lasting legacy of improved diagnostic imaging for residents of Prince George and the entire region.”

“The Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District is proud to have provided funding for this new equipment, as well as the new Patient Care Addition and renovations at Prince George Regional Hospital,” said Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley, who chairs the board of the Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District.

“We are thankful for the on-going support of the Government of British Columbia, the Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District, and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation,” said Harry Gairns, Chair of the Board for Northern Health. “Their contributions are central to improving care for our patients, residents, and clients.”

Both the MRI and gamma camera have been rigorously tested and are now certified for operation.

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Photos from the event and pictures of the MRI and gamma camera are available for publication by contacting Northern Health’s communications office at (250) 565-2694 or e-mailing communications@northernhealth.ca

Media Contact: Mark Karjaluoto Northern Health Director of Communications(250) 565-2694

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