**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Government Invests in Dartmouth General Hospital
Improving our health-care infrastructure means Nova Scotians will receive the high-quality care they need and will help recruit and retain health-care professionals. That’s why government continues to invest in Dartmouth General Hospital.
The province will invest $3.9 million over the next three years to complete renovations, procurement and installation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner. The Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation has launched a campaign to raise funds to buy the new piece of equipment.
“Nova Scotians deserve faster access to the diagnostic imaging they need to get safe, high-quality care,” said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. “This new MRI is an essential piece of equipment and will help ensure those in need will continue to get the best possible care.”
On Monday, Feb. 1, Nova Scotia Health’s renal program opened a renovated and expanded dialysis unit at Dartmouth General Hospital. The unit added six additional stations, growing from 10 to 16 seats, with the capacity to treat 96 patients. Government invested $7.46 million for the unit’s construction, which also includes a dedicated exterior patient entrance and elevator.
Quotes:
“Hemodialysis patients spend four to five hours, three times a week receiving treatment. We want their experience to be as positive and convenient as possible. With six new stations, 36 more patients can receive treatment in their community.”
– Dr. Steven Soroka, senior medical director, Nova Scotia Health Renal Program and Pharmacy Services
“We are excited for the Foundation and our donors to be a part of bringing an MRI to the Dartmouth General Hospital. This is another great example of the Government of Nova Scotia partnering with hospital foundations like ours to help change the lives of patients in HRM and beyond.”
– Stephen Harding, president and CEO, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation
Quick facts:
— Dartmouth General Hospital has 448 outpatient and clinic visits a day
— an MRI scanner is a diagnostic imaging tool that provides non-invasive, detailed images of internal organs and systems
– MRIs in Nova Scotia are typically used for more than 6,400 scans per year
– government is building or expanding dialysis units in Kentville, Digby, Bridgewater, Glace Bay and Halifax
– government is making the most significant infrastructure investment in Nova Scotia’s history to modernize health-care facilities across the province
Additional Resources:
Department of Health and Wellness Twitter: http://twitter.com/nshealth
Department of Health and Wellness Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaHealthAndWellness/
