General & Marine Hospital Funding Announcement

VIDEO: Ontario is expanding access to MRI services across the province:

The Ontario government is improving people’s access to diagnostic imaging services and reducing wait times by investing over $20 million in operating funding to support the addition of 27 new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines in hospitals across Ontario.

“Our government is ensuring hospitals across the province have the funds they need to operate their new MRI machines and increase access to diagnostic imaging for people in their communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“For some communities, this funding means they will have their first-ever MRI machine and residents will have more convenient access to care closer to home.”

Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson said today’s announcement represents huge recognition of the role that the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital plays in the South Georgian Bay Region.

“Health Minister Sylvia Jones who is also the Deputy Premier was here this morning to announce the G&M Hospital is getting the funding for the operation of an MRI. This would be the first MRI in our community. It is a big step forward.”

General & Marine Hospital President and CEO Michael Lacroix said it was an exciting day for the hospital and for the communities it serves.

“Today’s announcement for an MRI service at our hospital will result in local access to what is widely considered the gold standard in diagnostic imaging” Lacroix said, adding having an MRI at the G&M Hospital will go a long way in reducing patient wait times across the region and province.

Lacroix thanked the Honourable Sylvia Jones for her government’s approval of an MRI service in Collingwood.

“I’d also like to thank our MPP Brian Saunderson for his unwavering commitment and support of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.”

Mr. Lacroix took time to recognize the mayors of the municipalities that make up the region served by the hospital who were attending Monday’s funding announcement. (Mayor Yvonne Hamlin of Collingwood, Mayor Doug Measures of Clearview, Mayor Andrea Matrosovs of the Blue Mountains and Mayor Brian Smith of Wasaga Beach)