County of Simcoe supports local access to advanced imaging at GBGH
Representatives from the County of Simcoe and Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) gathered at the site of the hospital’s new MRI expansion. GBGH is funding the MRI expansion and purchase of the MRI in part due to $1 million in funds committed to the hospital through the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance. From left – Linda Gravel, vice president, Clinical Services and chief nursing executive, GBGH; Erin Kominek, manager, Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiorespiratory and Laboratory, GBGH; Karen Redpath, director, Clinical Services, GBGH; Deputy Warden Jennifer Coughlin, County of Simcoe and mayor of Springwater Township; Dan La Rose, deputy mayor, Penetanguishene; Liane Netherton, medical radiation technologist, GBGH; Jane Sinclair, general manager, County of Simcoe; Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, GBGH; and Barry Norris, deputy mayor, Tay Township.
August 20, 2024 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is receiving nearly $1.2 million from the County of Simcoe to support local healthcare in the Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Tay Township, Georgian Bay Township, Springwater Township and Beausoleil First Nation area. GBGH has chosen to utilize all of its remaining allocated funds from the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance to help bring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services to the hospital. This will have a major impact on improving access through reduced travel out of area and wait times.
The MRI at GBGH will be able to operate approximately 2,000 hours annually, which will reduce the burden of travel for patients and reduce wait times across the region. Local patients waiting for an MRI in Barrie or Orillia will be able to have this diagnostic imaging procedure in Midland, as opposed to occupying space on waitlists at other hospitals. GBGH anticipates the MRI, which will also have the unique capability of performing high-density breast and cardiac scans, will be operational in early 2025.
The nearly $1.2million is part of the $3.16 million the County of Simcoe pledged to GBGH for use over 15 years. This will be the third and final installment of funds the hospital has used from this commitment first made by the County to GBGH in 2017, lasting until 2031. GBGH has chosen to use the balance of the remaining pledge toward the MRI given the need to raise funds toward the construction of an expansion on the existing hospital to accommodate the MRI and purchasing the MRI itself.
In 2020, GBGH used approximately $900,000 of this funding toward the redevelopment of its device sterilization department and paying the remaining balance on its new computerized tomography (CT scanner). In 2022, the hospital allocated $1 million in County funds to relocate its satellite Dialysis unit to a modern new facility, completed construction on its medical device reprocessing department, and renovated the hospital’s two x-ray rooms.
“Contributions to local health care from municipalities is critical to the success of projects like those we’ve completed in the past using County funds, and our latest venture to bring MRI services to GBGH,’ says Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, GBGH. “Without the impactful support of the County, its municipalities and community donors, we would not be able to expand our scope of services, purchase new equipment and update infrastructure to enhance existing services, and bring care closer to home for residents.”
This is part of the County’s $45 million commitment to the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance between 2017 and 2031. The Alliance is made up of six hospitals inside our region including Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, GBGH, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Barrie), Stevenson Memorial Hospital (Alliston) and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care (Penetanguishene). Additionally, the Alliance allocates funds to Southlake Regional Health Centre (Newmarket), which also cares for County residents. It was established in 2002 to advise the County of Simcoe of ongoing hospital capital needs and ensure equitable distribution of the County’s healthcare funding. Since 1994, the County of Simcoe has committed $107 million to improve local hospital care and specialized services.
“We know that when we need them most, we can count on our hospitals to support us and our loved ones during times of need,” says Warden Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe. “County Council understands the importance of building up our healthcare system across the region through critical investments in area hospitals that help to create the conditions for a healthy future. The County’s $45 million commitment is just one way we continue building up our communities across the region as we remain steadfast supporters of our local hospitals.”
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Moore
Director, Communications & Community Relations
Georgian Bay General Hospital
Tel: 705-526-1300 x5177
Email: moorejen@gbgh.on.ca