March 29, 2023
WAINWRIGHT – Residents of Wainwright and area can now receive more advanced diagnostic imaging closer to home, thanks to the Wainwright community and its efforts in raising $2.2 million to fund a new computed tomography (CT) scanner service.
The new CT service launched on Feb. 14 at Wainwright Health Centre, a primary stroke centre in the region. Over the next five weeks, more than 140 CT exams were performed using the new equipment.
“The full body scanner, now up and running at Wainwright Health Centre, is an example of the accomplishments that can happen when people work together for a common goal,” says Bill Lawson, Chair of the Wainwright CT Scanner Fundraising Committee.
Committee members include the Wainwright and District Community Health Foundation, Wainwright Rotary Club and local business Bumper to Bumper, as well as representation from the Town of Wainwright, M.D. of Wainwright, the Wainwright Star Edge newspaper, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the local medical community including from CFB Wainwright.
“Thank you to AHS for allowing us to complete this vision for our community,” says Lawson. Thank you to the CT Scanner Committee for all your input and guidance during this fundraising effort. And lastly, the amount of funds raised was largely made possible by the huge community support. Thank you to every community member who donated to make this project a reality,” says Lawson.
Community fundraising covered the cost for renovations of the space to house the new equipment. AHS committed to the purchase and installation of the $750,000 scanner and its ongoing operations.
The GE Revolution Frontier is a high-resolution scanner with a level of fine detail that can help patients avoid additional follow-up tests to complete a diagnosis. The full-body diagnostic imaging tool expands the range of CT procedures available in the community, including 3D reconstruction and enhanced stroke detection technology. The new stationary machine replaces a portable head CT scanner previously used.
“We are so pleased to be able to start offering this service in Wainwright after the committee worked tirelessly since 2018 to make it happen,” says Valerie Thompson, Director, Rural Acute Care AHS Central Zone – North East. “We know this improves access and potentially reduces the time between diagnosis and treatment, and we are deeply appreciative of our hard-working partners and generous community.”
“Increasing local access to this medical equipment will reduce the need for residents to have to travel outside of the Wainwright area,” says Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright. “I’m proud of what the committee has achieved, and grateful for all of the donors who have enhanced healthcare in the community.”
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
