Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) is expanding its medical services available locally, including opening the first-ever magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine in the community.

In 2022 Headwaters was announced as one of 49 hospitals across the province to be included in the expansion of MRI and CT scan services, in an effort to reduce wait times. The government committed to provide Headwaters with more than $800,000 in annual operating funding for the MRI machine.

The purchase of the roughly $7 million machine was funded through the Headwaters Health Care Foundation’s (HHCF) $18 million Smart Headwaters campaign. The Morningview Foundation was a key contributor to the fundraising process for the MRI by committing to match community donations dollar-for-dollar up to $3 million.

“Every gift, large and small, helped us bring vital medical equipment to Headwaters Health Care Centre, including our region’s first MRI,” said K.C Carruthers, CEO of the Headwaters Foundation. “We have thousands of patients who need scheduled and emergency MRIs every year and now they no longer have to spend hours travelling for this key diagnostic service that is so important for the best patient outcomes.”

“Our region’s first MRI, and the specialized unit built to house it, was the heart of Smart Headwaters. The $7 million cost was entirely funded by community donations. This achievement will transform care close to home for years to come, and it belongs to all of us.”

In 2024, Headwaters reported approximately 4,000 annual scans being referred to other facilities, meaning the new suite will meet a significant demand for bringing more diagnostic imaging services closer to home for patients.

Once the MRI Suite is up and functioning, Headwaters said they expect it to reduce wait times and complete up to 8,000 scans a year.

Headwaters Health Care Centre started accepting requisitions for the Morningview Foundation MRI Suite as of Aug. 18. Healthcare providers can refer patients over the age of eight to Headwaters for services including abdominals, pelvic, brain, spine, breast, and musculoskeletal imaging.

The MRI machine at Headwaters is slated to be operational by Fall 2025. To learn more about the services available at the hospital, visit: headwatershealth.ca