LEAMINGTON — The Ontario government is improving access to diagnostic imaging services and reducing wait times by investing $1.3 million for a new MRI machine at Erie Shores HealthCare. Leamington’s first-ever MRI machine will ensure people across Essex County, including Leamington, Kingsville, Essex, Wheatley, Harrow, Amherstburg and Belle River, will no longer have to travel to a hospital outside of their community to connect to diagnostic services.
“Our government is making record investments in health care to connect more people to the care they need, closer to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in Erie Shores HealthCare’s first-ever MRI machine, our government is taking another step to make it easier and faster for more people and families in Leamington, and across Essex County to access key diagnostic services in their community, for years to come.”
In addition to the province’s investment to support the operation of the new MRI machine, Ontario will provide additional annual funding of $540,800 to double the hours of operation of the MRI suite, connecting over 4,160 more people to the care they need, when they need it.
“Our government is committed to ensuring residents of Leamington and Essex County have access to the quality health care they deserve,” said Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent—Leamington. “The addition of Erie Shores HealthCare’s first MRI machine marks a significant milestone for our community, improving access to advanced diagnostic tools close to home. This investment reflects our ongoing efforts to strengthen local health care and support the well-being of families and our communities for generations to come.”
This investment is part of the 50 new MRI machines in 43 hospitals that the Ontario government is adding across the province to increase MRI capacity and services. Ontario is also adding 100,000 more MRI and CT scans at community surgical and diagnostic centres across the province each year to reduce wait times for MRI and CT scans to 28 days in every region of the province, ensuring every person who needs imaging receives it within the medically recommended period of time.
“The expansion of MRI services at Erie Shores HealthCare is another example of health care being provided when and where people need it,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP For Essex, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health. “More health care closer to home is a huge benefit for our region.”
As part of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making it faster and easier for people to connect to the care they need, when they need it, in their community, no matter where they live.