Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital has introduced a mobile CT scanner to ensure patients have uninterrupted access to vital diagnostic imaging while a new permanent CT scanner is installed.
The temporary mobile unit, housed in a specially equipped trailer located in the Emergency Department parking lot, will be operational throughout the transition period.
"We would like to thank everyone for their patience and support as we carry out this important upgrade," said Ann Ford, President and CEO of Brightshores Health System. "We're investing in the future of care at Brightshores, and this is one more step in ensuring our hospital continues to deliver exceptional care, close to home, for everyone in Grey Bruce."
CT, or Computed Tomography, imaging is a crucial tool used across various hospital services, including emergency care, inpatient, and outpatient departments. It enables medical teams to quickly diagnose conditions such as strokes, cancers, internal injuries, and infections.
Brightshores expanded its imaging capacity in 2023 with a second CT scanner at Southampton Hospital, and the mobile unit now in Owen Sound is a key part of the system's ongoing modernization.
"Having the mobile CT on site in Owen Sound is an exciting sign of progress as we work toward installing a new, permanent CT scanner," noted Kathy Beattie, Director of Medical Imaging. "This temporary unit ensures access to imaging services with minimal disruption during the transition."
Hospital staff will be available to guide patients and families during the interim period. While most imaging services will continue in Owen Sound, some patients may be directed to the Southampton Hospital, depending on their individual care needs. Stroke patients, however, will still be accommodated at the Owen Sound site, which serves as the hub for Brightshores’ regional stroke program.
Once operational, the new permanent scanner will deliver enhanced imaging capabilities and improved patient comfort. The mobile CT unit will be decommissioned and removed at that time.
The equipment upgrade was made possible thanks to the generosity of community donors and Brightshores’ foundations, which recently completed fundraising for the new machine.
"These advanced tools support Brightshores’ efforts to deliver the highest standards of care and improve access for patients who need medical imaging technology in our communities," the hospital stated.
Brightshores Health System operates six hospitals across Grey and Bruce counties, providing care for over 175,000 residents and two million annual visitors.