April 25, 2003

BRANDON--Premier Gary Doer today announced tenders will be called for a state-of-the-art building to house magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment at Brandon Regional Health Centre.

"This government is committed to offering health care services where people need them," the premier said. "The investment in this facility will allow for the installation of the first MRI outside of Winnipeg."

The building will include rooms for MRI examinations, computers, scan controls and imaging processing as well as patient facilities and staff offices.

More than $6 million has been provided for the building and the MRI and an additional $1 million is being allocated annually to operate the diagnostic equipment.

The premier said the province is committed to improving the health system in Brandon, as demonstrated by the recent major $58 million redevelopment of the Brandon Regional Health Centre. He added that the new facility reflects Brandon’s role as a referral centre for western Manitoba and will support the efforts of the Brandon Regional Health Authority in attracting and retaining health care professionals in western Manitoba.

This tender announcement for the building to house the newly purchased MRI for Brandon Regional Health Centre is part of Manitoba Health’s ongoing plan to build on the fundamentals of health care, including:

• investing in medical equipment, hospitals, personal care homes and other facilities needed to operate a modern health care system;
• training, recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses and other health professionals to practise in Manitoba communities; and
• fostering innovation in health care technological advancements that help bring patient care and health information to Manitobans wherever they live.

"We’re committed to innovation in health care," said Doer. "This project will reduce travel time for western Manitobans requiring this vital diagnostic service and will take pressure off health facilities in Winnipeg."

Brandon plays a key role in delivering health care services to more than 150,000 Manitobans living in the region.

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