Several thousand reasons to celebrate region’s scanner

The South Canterbury community has several thousand reasons to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the installation of its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

SCDHB chairman Ron Luxton said since its installation in Timaru, the MRI scanner had saved thousands of trips to Christchurch.

‘‘It does about 3600 scans per year, and has achieved 15,720 scans since it was first installed. Before we had the MRI, patients would have to travel up to Christchurch to get scanned and maybe even have to stay there overnight,’’ he said.

Luxton was the chairman of the MRI fundraising strategy committee.

‘‘The whole fundraising process took just over 18 months. That’s almost unheard of in the health industry,’’ Luxton said.

‘‘Our initial goal was to raise about $2.2million. Instead, we raised more than $3m.’’

Luxton said he was overwhelmed with support right from the announcement of the fundraising project. ‘‘I had an accountant call me up on behalf of a client and offer $100,000 towards it a day after we went public.’’

The MRI scanner is used by both the health board and Pacific Radiology.

‘‘It’s a unique partnership. The community owns the MRI scanner, but without the public-private partnership it would not have gone ahead,’’ he said.

The scanner had overseen 4000 spinal examinations and more than 3000 head and brain examinations for the SCDHB alone.

SCDHB Radiology services manager Nathan Taylor said the board was able to see close to 100 per cent of patients needing an MRI scan within the Ministry of Health target of six weeks from the time of referral.

‘‘There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t have a patient having a scan who helped to raise funds for the scanner. There’s a real sense of community ownership.’’

Unit charge of the MRI, Lois Fraser, said it was ‘‘incredibly hard work’’ to ensure the waiting times were kept low. The small team continuously monitored the list to make the most of every opportunity.

A special function was held on Thursday to commemorate the installation of the MRI scanner.

PHOTO: DOUG FIELD/STUFF Ken Ward, 81, of Timaru, performs at the Southern Alps Country Music Awards at Caroline Bay Hall on Sunday.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED Those involved with the MRI scanner gather to celebrate its fifth birthday in Timaru last week.