The Royal Jubilee Hospital received a new Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI) scanner today.
The new scanner, a Siemens VIDA 3Tesla (3T) MRI scanner, uses a 17,000 pound magnet and will help to diagnose complex conditions such as neurological disease, heart disease, and prostate cancer, enhancing care for patients.
Installation of the MRI scanner took several hours and required a crane lift.
Cheryl Bloxham from Island Health says this slow and meticulous process will be well worth the wait. “The new scanner is the first 3T strength MRI scanner to be installed within Island Health,” said Bloxham. “It has double the magnetic strength of the MRIs currently in operation in Island Health and can gather more detailed information more quickly.”
The new MRI scanner is part of the B.C. Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging Strategy, which was launched last year and follows a recent Ministry of Health announcement of a new MRI for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Funding for the MRI included a significant contribution from the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of donors and hard work of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation,” said Bloxham.
The new scanner is expected to be operational in October 2019.
Tim Ford
