There will be soon four MRIs in the northwest region.
Right now, there is only one, and it’s located in Thunder Bay.
Dr. Catherine Murray is the Chief of Radiology in Kenora and says the MRIs are now becoming the standard for hospital diagnostics.
“There are just certain diagnoses and certain things that MRI are the gold standard for,” Murray said prior to the MRI magnet being delivered at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
“Currently we’re making recommendations for that, and we’re just not able to offer those services. So, there is going to be huge in being able to offer gold standard testing close to home.”
Dr. Murray adds that three more MRI’s is not too many in this region.
“I think it’s going to help decrease wait times across the region. Different facilities may have different niches in terms of what they’re going to be scanning and what the capabilities are. So, I think it’s going to enhance the quality of imaging in the northwest.”
The first MRI will open in Kenora in September, with ones to follow in in Sioux Lookout next year.
The date for the Fort Frances MRI to be in use hasn’t been determined yet.
