Residents of Kitimat and area will benefit from better access to diagnostic imaging services with the funding committed and the planning beginning for a new CT scanner at Kitimat General Hospital.
“With meaningful community partnerships, people in Kitimat will be able to get the scans they need faster and closer to home,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Adding a new CT scanner at the Kitimat General Hospital is part of the actions our government is taking to expand health services and ensure patients have access to necessary and life-saving care.”
This project represents a $4.7 million capital investment into improving healthcare in Kitimat. The Kitimat Hospital Foundation has contributed $2.4 million through community donors including LNG Canda, the Max Lange Foundation, the First West Foundation, the District of Kitimat, and many members of the community.
"The acquisition of a new CT scanner for Kitimat General Hospital is a transformative milestone for our community. Thanks to the extraordinary support from our donors, we are advancing towards providing critical diagnostic services locally. This investment not only enhances patient care but also plays a crucial role in retaining our dedicated healthcare professionals and attracting new talent to our facility. By improving our diagnostic capabilities, we are reinforcing our commitment to high-quality care and ensuring that Kitimat remains a leading choice for skilled medical staff,” said Laurel D’Andrea, President Kitimat General Hospital Foundation.
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.
“This new CT Scanner will ensure that those who need advanced diagnostic imaging support for various diseases, injuries, tumors, clots, or other conditions will be able to have this work done closer to home,” said Colleen Nyce, Chair of NH Board of Governors.
The CT scanner installation project is in the planning phase which will include the timeframe for completing the renovations, installation, and service introduction. The planning requires detailed designs that include renovations and construction in the scan room, installation of the new machine, acceptance testing and application training for technologists. The new CT will go into service for urgent and semi-urgent diagnostic needs while application training takes place, with full services to begin in 2026.
“LNG Canada is thrilled to support the Kitimat Hospital Foundation and Northern Health to ensure that people have access to diagnostic care close to home,” said Luke Schauerte, Vice President Asset at LNG Canada. “Kitimat General Hospital’s new CT scanner will result in better healthcare outcomes for patients and will help attract and healthcare professionals in our community.”
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, and will support department and physician retention/recruitment.
- 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.
- Reduced reliance on ambulance transfers for urgent CT's will allow for improved BCEHS coverage locally.
- New diagnostic services available in the community will assist with recruitment of physicians, specialists, 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 often select forms of treatment and monitor patient improvement through CT scan results. CT scans provide critical diagnostic service and are instrumental in providing the current standard of care in an acute care setting.