​New CT scanner arrives at Kincardine hospital

The new CT scanner for the Kincardine hospital was delivered Monday (Feb. 27), from the Siemens production facility in Germany, and is to be up and running by March 20.

In the coming weeks, the Siemens “X.Cite” scanner will be installed and commissioned in the 2,000-square-foot addition to the hospital, located directly south of the main entrance, and the first patient will be scanned Monday, March 20.

“We are now on the home stretch of this very exciting project that will provide a much-needed service to the Kincardine community,” said Michael Barrett, president and chief executive officer of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre which operates hospitals in Kincardine, Walkerton, Chesley and Durham.

“Patients in Kincardine will no longer have to travel out of their community for CT service, ensuring that they can complete their required diagnostics in a timely manner. This project also represents the first step in the expansion of the Kincardine hospital which will see an expanded emergency department, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, front entrance and loading area.”

To operate the scanner, a number of the health centre’s Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) have completed in-person training at the Walkerton site. Staff will also undergo virtual training ahead of March 20, and complete hands-on training for an eight-week period following the program implementation.

Utilization of the Kincardine scanner will gradually increase over this period as the ability to complete complex CT exams increases, in conjunction with the number of fully-trained staff. During this phased period, the Walkerton CT department will continue accepting urgent requests, supporting the team to build expertise.

Funding for this project has been generously provided by the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation and the Government of Ontario, as well as a $1-million contribution from Bruce Power.

“The arrival of the CT scanner is a critical step in the capital expansion project for the Kincardine site,” said Becky Fair, president of the hospital foundation. “We are thrilled to see the CT scanner arrive this week, bringing an important diagnostic service for patients at the hospital and residents of Kincardine and surrounding communities without having to travel out of town.

“We cannot thank our community enough for the generous support, and we look forward to continued support as we progress through the next phase of the expansion, and our capital campaign, ‘Building Health Care for Generations’.”

“The addition of a CT scanner to Kincardine hospital is very exciting for physicians, staff, and community members,” said Dr. Jason Murray. “It will be so nice for our patients not to have to travel to Walkerton anymore to have these scans performed. The CT will allow us to provide safer and more efficient care in the emergency department and on the inpatient unit. Thank you to all parties who made this possible.”



The new Siemens “X.Cite” CT scanner has arrived at the Kincardine hospital and will be up and running by March 20; photo courtesy of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre