The Southwest Local Health Integration Network board of directors will discuss the Hanover Hospital's application for a CT scanner at a meeting in Dutton on Tuesday.
A report to the board lists a suggested motion not to endorse the CT scanner application, and that the LHIN will provide a letter to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, confirming that the application has not met the criteria, and does not have their endorsement to continue for designation consideration.
On January 6, 2017, Hanover District Hospital submitted an application to the South West LHIN seeking support to install a new CT scanner.
The South West LHIN has received and endorsed three CT scanner applications: Alexandra Marine & General Hospital in Goderich, Tillsonburg District Hospital, and Listowel Memorial Hospital.
Using their protocol, the LHIN says the available data has not established that new CT resources are required in Grey Bruce.
In terms of access, the distance between Hanover District Hospital and the Walkerton site of South Bruce Grey Health Centre is 12.2 km, with a driving time of approximately ten minutes. 94% of CT scans completed in Grey Bruce were within the wait time target of Q3 2016/2017. Access to CT services in Grey Bruce is better than both the provincial average of 75%, as well as the provincial target of 90%.
In terms of efficiency, Hanover District Hospital projects a volume of 1,500 scans per year, however, projected operating hours will be more than 3,000 hours per year. 1,500 scans at an average of two scans/hour, which is the regional average, would require 800 hours a year of operations. The LHIN says that a new CT in Grey Bruce would remain idle for a significant proportion of the time, and would not be used efficiently and that a duplication of services will exist between Hanover District Hospital and the South Bruce Grey Health Centre.
They've also listed concerns that both staffing resources would be incurred at two hospitals in close proximity to provide the same service to residents in Grey and Bruce. The LHIN has determined that the current supply of CT operating hours in Grey Bruce meets the demand echoed in current referral patterns.
A Hanover couple has pledged $1.5-million for the scanner and that would completely pay for the machine as well as all the cost of hospital renovations. A large crowd in Hanover rallied April 11 in support of the Hanover and District Hospital's effort to get a CT scanner.