RICHMOND HILL, ON –York Central Hospital is pleased to announce the arrival of a second Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at its facility today. This temporary machine will be located in a mobile unit outside of our Emergency Department. The mobile unit has been leased and will be in its current location for approximately two years. This second MRI is scheduled to operate seven days a week and will be used primarily to scan ambulatory or mobile patients.
With the addition of a second MRI, patients will be able to stay in the community to access this crucial test, rather than travel elsewhere. Furthermore, the mobile unit will allow us to provide 3600 additional scans every year. MRI is an important diagnostic tool to identify soft tissue injuries and to diagnose disease.
In the past year, York Central Hospital has reduced its wait time for MRI exams from seven months to the current wait of two to four weeks. Our hospital has also increased the number of exams by 50%. With this additional scanner, we will be able to sustain these results and provide consistent access to MRI throughout the year
While the temporary mobile unit is on site, our Foundation will be working to raise the $5 million needed to purchase a new, state-of-the-art magnet and to renovate a permanent space for the unit. If you are interested in helping us fundraise for our permanent MRI, please contact Bill Leacy, President and CEO at 905-883-1212 ext. 2024.
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“We would like to thank the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Central LHIN for recognizing our high growth and high demand as well as our ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency. We are grateful to our partners for providing the necessary funds to help ensure stable and sustainable access for our community to this important diagnostic tool,” says Cindy Draycott, Operations Director, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Program.
“MRI is an invaluable study to aid in the diagnosis of a myriad of medical conditions. This additional MRI will allow our healthcare team to continue to make timely and accurate diagnoses. This will assist in getting patients on the correct treatment path and assist in a more rapid recovery for our patients,” says Dr. Peter Stroz, Medical Director, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Program and Chief of Medical Imaging.
“Having state-of-the-art technology and equipment enables York Central Hospital to continue to be an innovative, world-class health care facility and an invaluable asset to the community we serve. We are appreciative of our community’s ongoing support and are confident they will help us realize our $5 million goal to give us a second, permanent, state-of-the-art MRI,” says Bill Leacy, President and CEO, York Central Hospital Foundation.
Quick Facts
- A 506-bed hospital located in one of Canada’s fastest growing communities
- Last year, York Central Hospital performed 175,995 diagnostic tests
- During the same time period, 8,708 MRI scans were completed
- Over 80,000 visits annually to its Emergency Department
- Serves more than 500,000 people in Southwest York Region and beyond
- Recently completed expansion of Trench Street site in Richmond Hill, including new and expanded Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Family Birthing Centre,
- Diagnostic Imaging Department and Minimally Invasive Surgery Suites
- York Central Hospital’s is working to create a Major Regional Health System for Southwest York Region that will include the recently approved project to build a new hospital in Vaughan as part of Ontario’s infrastructure plan.
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