Ontario Government Announces Leamington’s First MRI Machine to Improve Health Care Access
LEAMINGTON — In a significant boost to health care services in Essex County, the Ontario government has announced an investment of $1.3 million for a new MRI machine at Erie Shores HealthCare. This marks the first-ever MRI machine for Leamington, providing residents in the area with local access to vital diagnostic imaging services.
The initiative, which will serve communities including Kingsville, Essex, Wheatley, Harrow, Amherstburg, and Belle River, aims to reduce the need for residents to travel outside the region for diagnostic care.
“Our government is making record investments in health care to connect more people to the care they need, closer to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in Erie Shores HealthCare’s first-ever MRI machine, our government is taking another step to make it easier and faster for more people and families in Leamington, and across Essex County to access key diagnostic services in their community, for years to come.”
The province is also providing an additional $540,800 annually to support expanded hours of operation for the MRI suite. This funding will double the MRI’s operational hours, enabling over 4,160 more patients to access imaging services each year.
Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent—Leamington, emphasized the importance of this development, calling it a “significant milestone” for the region. “The addition of Erie Shores HealthCare’s first MRI machine marks a significant milestone for our community, improving access to advanced diagnostic tools close to home. This investment reflects our ongoing efforts to strengthen local health care and support the well-being of families and our communities for generations to come,” he said.
The investment is part of a broader plan by the Ontario government to add 50 new MRI machines across 43 hospitals in the province. Additionally, the province is introducing 100,000 more MRI and CT scans annually at community surgical and diagnostic centres. The goal is to reduce wait times for diagnostic imaging to 28 days or less in all regions of Ontario, aligning with medically recommended timeframes.
Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, highlighted the broader impact of this initiative. “The expansion of MRI services at Erie Shores HealthCare is another example of health care being provided when and where people need it. More health care closer to home is a huge benefit for our region,” Leardi said.
This announcement forms part of Ontario’s larger strategy, Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, designed to ensure timely access to health care for all residents, regardless of their location.
Residents in Leamington and surrounding areas can look forward to improved diagnostic services, reduced wait times, and the convenience of receiving care closer to home, underscoring the province’s commitment to enhancing health care accessibility across Ontario.