Bathurst receives new MRI unit

Bathurst, October 10, 2013 – The Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst celebrated today the official unveiling of the facility's new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit.

“I am pleased that our government could provide support for these important projects at the Chaleur Regional Hospital,” indicated Health Minister Hugh Flemming. “These initiatives will ensure that the hospital has the equipment needed to continue to provide safe, high-quality patient care for residents of Northeastern New Brunswick.”

Ryan Riordon, MLA for Nepisiguit attended the event on behalf of the minister. 

The new MRI unit project in Bathurst represents a total investment of $3.6 million. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used for the diagnosis and assessment of a wide variety of diseases and indications, including imaging brain tumours, diagnosing stroke, and assessing cartilage damage and issues with the internal organs.

Gabriel Godin, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vitalité Health Network, expressed his satisfaction that the Chaleur Regional Hospital is now equipped with a new state-of-the-art MRI machine.  “With this new equipment designed to meet today's standards, our medical staff and health care professionals will be able to continue offering excellent services to patients in the region,” he said.

Also announced was $1.1 million for capital equipment improvements at the hospital to replace aging equipment and meet commitments as part of the Action Plan for the Equitable Distribution of Health Services. This includes $500,000 for a general radiography machine and a $419,000 investment in new cardiac monitors used to monitor vital signs. These new monitors will replace old units, some of which have been around since 1985. A further $95,000 will be invested in an electrosurgical scalpel, which is an advanced surgical tool that will be used in the bariatric surgery program.