Province Improving Access to Cancer Care in Northern Ontario
Ontario Investing in New Sudbury PET Scanner for Patients and Families
November 8, 2016
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario is helping patients in northeastern Ontario get faster access to high-quality cancer care by building additional space for new diagnostic equipment in Sudbury.
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, was joined by Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault at Health Sciences North today to make the announcement. The investment supports an expansion of the hospital to allow for the installation of a Positron Emission Tomography – Computer Tomography (PET-CT) scanner. The new structure will accommodate the PET-CT scanner, associated equipment, and support spaces for patients and staff.
The PET-CT scanner helps detect certain cancers and other diseases. When the project is complete, patients in northeastern Ontario will be able to access PET scans closer to home and will no longer need to travel outside of Sudbury for this service.
Increasing access to cancer care in Northern Ontario is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which provides patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is investing $4.6 million in capital spending to build additional space at Health Sciences North for a new PET-CT Scanner. In December 2015, Ontario announced $1.6 million to cover operating costs for the scanner.
- A PET scan is a diagnostic test used to detect heart disease and certain cancers such as lung, breast and colon.
- There are currently 12 PET centres in Ontario.
- Over 11,000 PET scans are performed annually in Ontario.
Quotes
“I am pleased to continue supporting Sudbury’s PET scanner project. This announcement builds on our previous commitment to cover operating costs for the scanner and with this capital support, we move closer to providing equitable access to high quality care for patients in Sudbury and northeastern Ontario.”
Dr. Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“Today’s announcement shows us what we can achieve when our community works together. Ontario’s investment and the community partnership means that Health Sciences North will soon have a state of the art PET Scanner, ensuring the best possible health care and diagnostic imaging for the people of Sudbury and Northeastern Ontario.”
“This is great news for our patients. PET has proven its value for the early detection of cancer and heart disease, and that early detection can save lives. As an academic health sciences centre, we’re excited to add PET to our front-line patient care and research. Congratulations to everyone in the community who worked so hard to make this happen.”
“This investment in care is great news for all Northerners. The North East LHIN supports opportunities that provide people living in Northeastern Ontario with better access to care closer to home.”
Media Contacts
Media Line
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media.moh@ontario.ca
GTA: 416-314-6197
Shae Greenfield
Minister’s Office
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David Jensen
Communications and Marketing Division-MOHLTC
media.moh@ontario.ca
416-314-6197
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