The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The NDP government has upgraded X-ray technology in three northern Manitoba communities. At a total cost of $1 million, the province has replaced the radiography suites at Diagnostic Services Manitoba (DSM) imaging facilities in Thompson, Gillam and Lynn Lake. 'Our government knows what matters to Manitoba families is having the best medical equipment available in their health-care facilities to help expedite diagnosis and treatment. These new X-ray machines will do just that,' said Health Minister Theresa Oswald. 'This latest upgrade is part of our four-year plan to reduce wait times and bring more advanced diagnostic equipment closer to home with a $120-million investment towards new and upgraded medical equipment.' The new radiography suites provide smaller doses of radiation and a better patient view during the imaging process, adding to the safety and quality of testing. An elevating table contributes to the ease and comfort of patients during the procedure. 'DSM is pleased to enhance diagnostic care for our northern patients through the replacement of three X-ray suites in Thompson, Gillam and Lynn Lake,' said Paul Penner, chief operating officer. The unit in Thompson features technology that speeds the procedure and allows technologists to better accommodate the more than 200 weekly X-ray patients. A wheelchair-accessible patient restroom has also been added to Thompson's imaging area as part of the renovations. Funding support from the Manitoba government has enabled the equipment replacements as well as renovations to the X-ray suites to accommodate the new equipment and improve the workflow for staff and patients. 'The Manitoba government continues to make significant investments in health care throughout the province,' said Thompson MLA Steve Ashton. 'This latest investment ensures residents in Thompson, Gillam, Lynn Lake and the surrounding regions will have better access to the care they need, closer to home, for years to come.' The new X-ray suites are further complemented by the filmless imaging platform that, since being implemented in 2010, creates digital images that are sent to radiologists electronically, contributing to improved result turnaround times. 'We welcome the replacement of these X-ray suites as a way to ensure greater access to the best tools in support of clinical diagnosis for our patients,' said Helga Bryant, CEO of the Northern Health Region. 'This builds on our capacity to meet the needs of our patients closer to where they live and move forward with their treatment in a timely way.' DSM and the Northern Health Region acknowledged the support of the northern radiologist reading group whose radiologists have been integral to these upgrades. The laboratory and diagnostic imaging services within the Northern Health Region are part of DSM's provincial diagnostic network. DSM was created in 2002 as the not-for-profit corporation responsible for all of Manitoba's public laboratory services and for rural diagnostic imaging services. With more than 70 sites located across Manitoba, DSM is the province's leading provider of public laboratory and rural diagnostic imaging services. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release
