Fundraising complete for Guelph General Hospital’s new MRI Scanner

It is with thanks to the ongoing support of the community that the $2.25 million fundraising goal set by The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital has been raised to purchase and install a powerful new MRI scanner for Guelph General Hospital. The Hospital is currently finalizing the purchase contract and is working towards having the new scanner in use within the year.

Getting the new scanner in place is a complex process. The old scanner will need to be removed in parts. The MRI suite that houses the MRI scanner will then be renovated to meet current standards in MRI safety, infection control, ergonomics and esthetics.

The MRI scanner is so big that the only way to get it into place is by making a temporary hole in the exterior back wall of the Hospital. It will then be craned into the MRI suite through that opening. The hole will be patched and the remaining assembly of the MRI scanner will be completed within the MRI suite.

This process will take a number of weeks to complete, so the Diagnostic Imaging Department is also busy putting plans in place to minimize service interruptions. Central to the plan is setting up a temporary external structure at the back of the Hospital that will house a temporary MRI scanner.

The Diagnostic Imaging department expresses thanks to the thousands of community members who responded so generously to the fundraising programs that were designated to the scanner, including donations made by mail and online, and proceeds from the 50/50 Hospital Lottery, Tour de Guelph and Black Tie Bingo.

This new MRI scanner will replace the Hospital’s current MRI scanner that was also funded by donors over 14 years ago. The new MRI scanner will not only produce better images but produce those images up to two times faster. The new scanner will also be capable of producing images for a broader range of illnesses and injuries.

“The MRI team is highly motivated to fully utilize all the time-saving features this new scanner has to offer to decrease scan times, optimize image quality and provide even better patient outcomes and care experience,” remarked Erin Lane, Director of the Diagnostic Imaging Department, GGH. “We thank everyone who helped make the new scanner possible.”