Glengarry Memorial Hospital to fundraise for CT scanner

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ALEXANDRE — Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH) announced Monday steps toward a new capital campaign: fundraising over the next three years for a $3.1 million computed tomography (CT) scanner.

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Having recently received approval from the Ontario Ministry of Health, the acquisition of a CT scanner is expected to provide significant advancements in the diagnostic services available at HGMH. The hospital currently offers X-ray, ultrasound and bone mineral density tests.

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President and CEO Robert Alldred-Hughes said patients from HGMH’s emergency department and inpatient units are often transferred to Cornwall or Hawkesbury for CT scans. Alldred-Hughes said he is also aware primary care providers in the area are sending a significant number of patients for CT scans.

“CT is a diagnostic tool that has really become a standard of care for hospitals,” he said, acknowledging that quick access to a CT scan in urgent care cases could be life-saving. “Through our assessment, we also know that there are many members of the community who have long wait times for non-urgent CT as well.

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“This approval from the ministry is a crucial first step, but now we need the support of our community to make this approval a reality. Every donation, big or small, will make a difference and bring us closer to our goal.”

Alldred-Hughes said staff members are extremely excited about the ministry’s approval and the prospect of getting a CT scanner because HGMH has worked on the case, demonstrating patient volume, regional care needs and in-house capacity.

CT scanners direct X-ray beams in a circle around the body, which are then processed by a computer to produce two-dimensional images with more detail than a standard X-ray. As mentioned above, Cornwall and Hawkesbury Hospitals have CT scanners within their diagnostic and imaging departments, as does Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Further afield, Montfort Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital’s Civic and General campuses also have CT scanners.

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The HGMH Foundation has committed to providing the necessary funds to purchase the equipment and to facilitate the specific renovations required within the hospital to create space for the CT scanner. A campaign will be officially launched soon.

“The total cost of the project is estimated at 3.1 million dollars. This includes both CT and renovations,” said Alldred-Hughes. “Our plan is to have this targeted for implementation within three years.”

A series of fundraising events and initiatives will be launched by the HGMH Foundation to engage the community and encourage donations.

“When you look at the priorities around home care, it’s not about home care around convenience, it’s about necessity. Often, people may not be able to drive half an hour, or have a family or friend drive them to that imaging appointment. So it’s absolutely amazing to be able to have this life-saving diagnostic tool in our hospital and in our community,” said Alldred-Hughes. “It will be a legacy for the community for years to come.”

Capital equipment such as CT scanners are not funded by the government and rely on community donations.

“We are excited to embark on this fundraising journey and are confident in the generosity and support of our community,” said Pierre Vaillancourt, President of the Foundation. “Together, we can equip our hospital with the tools it needs to deliver the highest standard of care.”

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