CT Scanner Helping Inverness-area Patients

Inverness-area residents no longer have to travel to Sydney or Antigonish every time they need a CT scan now that there is a scanner in their community hospital.

This week, staff began to use a new CT scanner, worth $1.2 million, to provide scans for patients at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital.

“Residents of Inverness told us they wanted this capability at their community hospital. We heard them loud and clear. In fact, one of our first announcements after forming government was to fund this important piece of equipment,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, who attended an opening ceremony today, June 26. “Now, people won’t always need to travel for the scans they need, which is a great comfort, especially in bad weather.”

Computerized tomography, or CT scans are used to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. They provide in-depth images of bone, tissue and blood vessels.

“This scanner performs routine CT exams as well as scans for trauma cases,” said Janet Knox, CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. “Patients with head trauma often need a CT scan to determine the type and extent of their injury.

“Having this service available locally is a tremendous asset to the people of Inverness and the surrounding areas.”

Government provided over $910,000. Community fundraising covered the remaining cost.

“It is wonderful to have the CT scanner in place at the hospital,” said Inverness Hospital Foundation chair Marilyn MacDonald. “This is a service that people in the community have wanted and worked towards for so long. So many people in Inverness County will benefit for having this service so close to home.”

Source: Release