Ministry of Health announces new funding for MRI
On November 18, Premier Christy Clark and Health Minister Terry Lake announced an additional $20 million in funding for MRI procedures in BC. This welcome news means that Lower Mainland Medical Imaging (LMMI) will have increased capacity for MRI procedures and patients will have faster access to diagnosis and treatment.
How will the funding be allocated?
Total funding for LMMI is approximately $12.5 million, which means more than 42,000 additional MRI procedures across all sites. Over the next month operations directors will work with site leads to assess current state and determine how best to increase MRI volumes. This strategy will likely involve extended hours of operation for all MRI scanners. Recruitment is already underway for new MRI technologist positions.
When will this be implemented?
Health Authorities across BC have four years to fully ramp up to these targets, and LMMI is expected to submit a plan by the end of November for how we will increase MRI capacity as quickly as possible. Timely access to appropriate imaging remains a priority. We will provide updates as planning progresses and decisions are made.
Lower Mainland Medical Imaging is a consolidated service under VCH and includes VCH, Fraser Health, Providence Health Care and Provincial Health Services Authority medical imaging departments.