ALLISTON, ONTARIO – Ted Vandevis, Chair of the Board of Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) told staff and supporters this morning that the groundbreaking for a CT Scanner facility was a “milestone on the road to delivery of increased Diagnostic Imaging Services at Stevenson Memorial Hospital. It is the first step towards a great goal,” he said.

The remark was delivered just before the official shovel went into the ground signaling the start of excavation for an addition to the Alliston hospital. The 1637 sq. ft. modular building will house a much needed CT Scanner. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care gave approval for the scanner in June. The cost of the scanner and the facility in which to house it totals $2.2 million. Fundraising for the project is continuing and $1.6 million is still required.

“Approximately $600,000 has been donated to the project and we thank those who have already given and will yet give to this important project. We are confident our community and stakeholders will help to complete the fundraising by the time the scanner is in place,” said Jean Baker-Pearce, President of the SMH Foundation.

Currently, over 500 SMH patients are referred out for CT Scans annually. Patients are transported with nurse accompaniment to other local facilities, the closest being 50 kilometres and 40 minutes away. An on site scanner will provide faster service and eliminate the additional costs associated with transportation and staffing.

A June target has been set for the CT Scanner to be operational at Stevenson Memorial Hospital. Initially the scanner will operate Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will have the capacity for 2,000 patients in its first year. Emergency scans will be available after hours for head injuries.  

“This is an exciting day for the team at Stevenson and we look forward to later this summer when we will be able to provide CT scanning services to our community,” said Gary Ryan, President and CEO of SMH. He dedicated the groundbreaking ceremony to the late Bing Gibson, a well-known member of the community who had provided encouragement for the acquisition of a CT Scanner.