March 6, 2009

Renfrew Victoria Hospital CT project is moving into construction phase

Renfrew Victoria Hospital is taking the first step into the construction phase of bringing CT diagnostic capabilities to the community.

Advertisements have been posted in area newspapers, seeking bids from general contractors interested in building a hospital addition to house the new CT (computerized axial tomography) suite.

“We are delighted with how quickly this project is now proceeding,” comments RVH CEO Randy Penney, noting that the Champlain Local Health Integration Network has been a key supporter of the plan to enhance CT services in the region.

“The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care responded very quickly in providing us with the necessary approval for this stage, and we’re certainly ready to move ahead,” Penney says.

The bidding process will be open until Tuesday, March 24. The successful company will be responsible for the construction of a one-storey, 1,800-square-foot addition to the RVH building. It is hoped that construction will begin in May.

The new suite will be located within the diagnostic imaging department, enhancing the ongoing technological investments that have been made there to provide digital imaging and state-of-the-art diagnostic services such as x-ray, ultrasound and fluoroscopy.

“Our new CT suite will be a great addition to our diagnostic imaging department,” comments RVH Vice-President of Corporate Services Julia Boudreau.

The central location within the hospital will also ensure that CT is readily accessible to the adjacent emergency department, which will represent a significant improvement in the hospital’s ability to respond to urgent situations.

“Architect Brian Dickey has worked with us to once again develop a plan that combines good workflow and good design,” says Penney. “We’re confident this addition will serve the needs of our professional staff and our patients.”

The 64-slice CT scanner will be a landmark improvement in the diagnostic services available to Renfrew area residents, supporting the care provided in every department of the hospital, including the emergency department and the regional nephrology and oncology programs.

Without CT, thousands of patients from the area have been required to travel to Pembroke or Ottawa each year for the tests.

All of the approximately $3 million in construction and equipment costs will be borne by the hospital itself. Provincial funding is not available for CT capital or operating expenses.

A dedicated CT fund has been established by the RVH Foundation. Anyone interested in contributing to the fund is invited to contact the foundation office at 613-432-4851 ext. 263.

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(For more information contact Randy Penney, CEO, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, 613-432-4851, ext. 260.)