Mobile MRI up and running at ESHC

The new mobile MRI Unit at Erie Shores HealthCare is up and running as the hospital announced last week that they had completed the first MRI test in the unit.

The mobile unit is expected to remain in operation until the permanent MRI suite is ready sometime by the end of this year.

“This is a pivotal moment for Erie Shores HealthCare and our community, “ said ESHC CEO and President Kristin Kennedy on Thursday, May 23. “The mobile MRI unit allows us to address the immediate needs of our patients, reducing wait times and improving access to critical diagnostic services right here at home.”

According to Kennedy, the unit will immediately begin accepting patients.

The MRI project for Erie Shores has a two-pronged approach, with funding from the provincial government through Ontario Health and through community donations, most notable of which was a recent $1 million donation from Unico and Primo Foods.

Fundraising efforts to date have raised about half of the $5 million required to get the permanent unit in place.

The province has pledged to supply funds for the ongoing operation of the unit once the capital expenditure is reached by the hospital (with community help).

The mobile unit will operate eight hours per day, five days per week, which will significantly reduce the need for patients to travel to other regions for MRI tests and ensuring timely access to vital diagnostic services.

Leamington Mayor — and Warden of Essex County — Hilda MacDonald, who was at the unveiling, says this will be a big bonus to the region.

“It used to be okay to travel to Windsor for that,” she said. “There’s an appreciation by the people in the region for this to be so close to home. And sometimes people are just too sick to travel.” Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Trevor Jones, echoed that sentiment.

“This milestone represents a significant advancement in our services,” he said. “It’s a very important step forward in care close to home. This administrative team here did an amazing job.”

Erie Shores Health Foundation Executive Director Penny Bellhouse reminded everyone in attendance that, although it’s an incredible accomplishment, the fundraising efforts must continue.

“We have a little ways to go,” she said. “Let’s bring the MRI inside.”

Dr. Patrick Cervini, Chief of Radiology at Erie Shores, said the unit should allow them to do about 25 MRI tests per day, which should lessen the load in the region.

“This will really help with getting wait times down,” he said.