Community members, healthcare advocates and donors gathered at the hospital to welcome the new CAT scan machine at a ribbon cutting ceremony this past Monday.
Back The Cat chair Kim Bishop spoke passionately about raising the three million dollars to bring the scanner to Bancroft and working with hospital site manager Tammy Davis.
“It got serious I would say about five years ago and we got a big “ no”…and Tammy and I don’t take no very easily” laughed Bishop “It was through a lot of lobbying and hard work. We applied as a self-funded project. So the community truly raised every dollar to pay for this, the government approved the license, but they didn’t contribute financially. So the community needs to be extremely proud”
Bishop also referenced a few notable donors, including Faraday Township, the hospital auxillary, John Sherman and Choices thrift shop. A donor wall was also unveiled as part of the event.
Many long time area doctors who advocated for the CT scanner were at the event, including (now retired) Dr. McHenry who first spoke about the need for a CT scanner in Bancroft many years ago.
Dr. Keila spoke about what a difference it will make in our community from doctor recruitment to improving care and providing life-saving timely diagnosis.
The CT scanner is now operated by the diagnostic technicians from the Bancroft hospital who trained for weeks on the machine.
Diagnostic appointments will be booked from 8am to 4pm, and the goal is to also have technicians available for emergency after-hours use by March.
