August 28, 2024, Arnprior – In just four short months, Arnprior Regional Health (ARH) will welcome its first patients for a CT scan. The official groundbreaking for the CT Scanner was held today at the Hospital, with ceremonial shovels marking the start of construction on this exciting project.

In the first year of operations, ARH expects to perform up to 6,000 CT scans, which will directly improve local patient care and help alleviate regional backlogs.

With this important diagnostic tool in Arnprior, patients can get the tests they need at home instead of travelling to Renfrew or Ottawa to receive care. Currently, over 3,000 patients are referred out of Arnprior for CT scans.

“Our vision is that we are creating a thriving community together,” said Jeremy Stevenson, ARH’s new President and CEO. “Having a CT Scanner in our community is going to help us to do exactly that. We are getting a fantastic machine, so patients can receive the best possible care without leaving Arnprior, and that is all thanks to our incredible partners and donors, our hardworking staff, and the people of Arnprior and surrounding area.”

Oliver Jacob, ARH Board Chair, congratulated the team on breaking ground on a project that has been years in the making. “Bringing a CT scan to our Hospital is a great example of why we added a single word to our mission recently: innovative. This will help ARH prove ourselves as a true regional leader.”

Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, commended the community for taking ownership of the campaign and supporting the project whole-heartedly.

John Yakabuski, MPP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, echoed Ms. Gallant. “It is the community that makes it happen,” said Mr. Yakabuski. “You have been called upon a lot in recent times, and you’ve stepped up. This equipment is going to make a huge difference in the lives of people in Arnprior and area.”

Community was a common thread amongst speakers, with Arnprior Mayor Lisa McGee remarking that “people are blown away by the kind of support we have from our residents and businesses in Arnprior. And this project has been no different.”

The $2.2 million project is entirely community funded. In an exciting moment, ARH Foundation Board Chair Katherine Luckett announced that the Foundation has officially achieved the 85% milestone of the CT Scan Campaign goal. Katherine is confident that the Foundation will reach 100% by the end of the year.

Work began in the Diagnostic Imaging department this week and will continue to the end of the year.