The dream of enhanced medical imaging services in Whistler took a significant step forward today as construction officially commenced on the new facility set to house a state-of-the-art CT scanner at the Whistler Health Care Centre. This crucial project promises to bring advanced diagnostic capabilities closer to home for residents of Whistler, Pemberton, and Squamish, with the new GE CT scan anticipated to be ready for patient use this fall.
“The initiation of construction at the Whistler Health Care Centre for this vital project underscores the dedication of all partners involved in delivering this essential service to the communities of Pemberton, Whistler, and Squamish,” stated Joan McIntyre, West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA. “This CT scan facility is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of healthcare partnerships, serving as a model of collaborative success.”
A significant contribution to this project came from General Electric (GE), a global Olympic partner, who generously donated a cutting-edge 64-slice CT scanner. This donation, intended as a legacy for the communities along the Sea to Sky Corridor following the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, addresses a critical healthcare gap. Currently, patients in the Sea to Sky region requiring CT scans must undertake lengthy journeys to North Vancouver or further afield to access this essential diagnostic service.
“With the establishment of this on-site CT scan service, patients in our region will no longer face the burden of traveling to Lions Gate Hospital or other distant facilities for a CT scan,” explained Mary Ackenhusen, Chief Operating Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Coastal. “We project that the Whistler Health Care Centre will conduct approximately 2,000 CT scans annually once the service is fully operational, significantly improving access to timely diagnostics.”
The $2.29 million construction undertaking is a collaborative funding effort, with substantial contributions from the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District ($1.1 million) and the Whistler ($897,000), Squamish ($95,000), and Pemberton ($29,000) Foundations. Vancouver Coastal Health will ensure the long-term viability of the service by covering the CT scanner’s $200,000 annual operating expenses.
“We are delighted to announce that this highly anticipated project, which will deliver a critical service to both residents and visitors of the Sea to Sky Corridor, is progressing on schedule and will be fully operational well in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games,” commented Susie Gimse, Chair of the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District.
“This substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure will lead to improved health outcomes for our community members and visitors alike, both in the lead-up to, during, and long after the Games,” added Marnie Simon, Chair of the Whistler Health Care Centre Foundation. “This achievement is largely attributable to the incredible generosity of our numerous donors.”
Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services, managing a $2.8 billion budget to deliver community, hospital, and residential care to over one million individuals across a vast region, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky Corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella, and Bella Coola.
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