Residents of Kitimat and area will benefit from better access to diagnostic imaging services with construction underway to bring a new CT scanner to Kitimat General Hospital.
“Investing in health-care infrastructure like this CT project strengthens the foundation of our communities,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This kind of infrastructure directly improves quality of life and supports stronger, healthier communities by creating good construction jobs now and improving access to critical services for years to come.”
This project represents a $4.7 million capital investment into improving healthcare in Kitimat. This project is being funded in partnership with The Kitimat Hospital Foundation has contributed $2.4 million and the Northwest Regional Hospital District which has contributed $1.9 million.
“I know how hard the people of Kitimat worked to raise the funds to help us make this project a reality, and I am really pleased that the construction to accommodate the new CT scanner is about to begin. This is a major milestone,” said Colleen Nyce, Board Chair, Northern Health. "Working together like this is one of the ways we move forward in ensuring equitable access to care for all those who call the North home.”
The new unit and a newly renovated department will allow the hospital to continue to deliver a range of clinical and diagnostic services that support primary, community and specialized services. This includes the purchase of the new machine, renovations to accommodate the unit and installation costs.
“The NWRHD is pleased to contribute to the new CT Scanner in Kitimat,” said Barry Pages, Chair, North West Regional Hospital District. “Having a new CT Scanner closer to home means Kitimat and Kitamaat residents don't have to travel to receive this vital diagnostic service.
This project was only possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation and community donors including LNG Canda, the Max Lange Foundation, the First West Foundation, the District of Kitimat, and many members of the community.
“Thanks to the incredible support of our community, Kitimat General Hospital will soon receive its very first CT scanner. Beyond improving patient care, the CT scanner also plays a key role in physician recruitment and retention,” said, Laurel D’Andrea, President, Kitimat General Hospital Foundation. “In today’s healthcare environment, access to essential diagnostic tools is a critical factor for doctors when choosing where to practice and helps ensure our hospital can continue to offer quality care for years to come.”
The CT scanner installation project began construction earlier this week. Following renovation work, the new CT will go into service for urgent and semi-urgent diagnostic needs while application training takes place, with full services expected to begin in Spring 2026.
Benefits info:
- Kitimat provides surgical services including orthopedics and is also a training site for X-ray and Ultrasound students.
- Having a CT on site will provide staff with a broader scope of practice, opportunities for student training.
- Improved access to CT will provide physicians with the information to diagnose and treat patients sooner, and potentially further reduce the need for patient travel for CT scans.
- Reduced reliance on ambulance transfers for urgent CT's will allow for improved ambulance coverage locally.
- New diagnostic services available in the community will assist with recruitment of physicians, specialists, medical imaging and nurses to the community.
Computed tomography (CT) is an advanced imaging tool commonly used for diagnosing and assessing trauma patients, as well as those with a wide range of conditions, including stroke and cancer. Physicians will diagnose, treat, monitor patient improvement and consult with other physicians/specialists through the CT scan results. CT scans provide a critical diagnostic service and are instrumental in providing the current standard of care in an acute care setting.