Medical Centre has third ultrasound machine in operation to increase access and reduce wait times
The Medical Centre now has a third ultrasound machine in operation to increase access and reduce wait times.
The centre received a $16,000 donation from GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation to refurbish an ultrasound machine for the facility.
It’ll be used for general imaging along with the Medical Centre’s Ontario Breast Screening Program.
The machine was previously used by a doctor at the centre for breast screening.
When he retired, he donated the machine to the centre, but it wasn’t equipped to do abdomens and obstetricals.
The probe to do the additional screening was $16,000.
GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation supports patient care delivered by the Peterborough Family Health Team. It raises money through fundraisers, such as an annual golf tournament.
“If you have a family doctor in Peterborough, then you’re a member of the Peterborough Family Health Team and you have access to all these resources we’ve been funding as well,” foundation executive director Laura Kennedy said at the Medical Centre Tuesday.
Cheryl Collins, the centre’s diagnostic services manager, said the new equipment and designated room will speed up the entire process for someone who needs an ultrasound, from wait time to results.
The centre has three obstetricians in the building who refer patients for ultrasounds, and other patients from outside the building get referred there as well.
The Medical Centre sees between 8,000 to 10,000 patients a year for ultrasounds.
With the two machines, Collins said patients could wait a week or more to get an appointment.
With the additional equipment, patients will be booked in within the same week.
“Having an additional ultrasound room and equipment will mean we can provide even more service to our community when they need it most,” said Dr. Bob Neville, Medical Centre physician lead.
The Medical Centre was established in 1948, with three physicians. Today, it houses more than 35 medical practices, 19 family medicine specialists, five nurse practitioners and allied health professionals.