Skeena MLA Ross shares excitement of Kitimat area on CT Scanner plans progress with Legislature

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross in the Legislature on Wednesday

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross took to the fall session of the Legislature to share some welcome news for the constituents in Kitimat, the MLA noting of the progress for the community towards having a CT Scanner installed at their health facility.

I am very excited to share some great news after exceptional collaboration and determination from my community, Kitimat. 

For years, residents of Kitimat and Kitimaat Village have had to drive 140 kilometres round-trip to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, through harsh winter conditions, for a CT scanner appointment. 

You see, until now, Kitimat General Hospital has not had a CT scanner, but the community, over the years, had decided it was time to change that. 

Through the Kitimat Hospital Foundation, Kitimat embarked on a remarkable journey to raise the necessary funds. 

The CT scanner has been a priority, and it has been a monumental effort, considering the $2.3 million purchase price alone. 

As part of his overview for the Legislature, Ross noted of the recent announcement from LNG Canada which made a 900,000 dollar  donation to the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation towards the Kitimat quest for the medical imagery machinery.

Then something truly extraordinary happened. The Kitimat General Hospital Foundation held a gala, their annual gala, and LNG Canada shocked the room, coming up with the remaining $900,000 needed for the CT scanner. The room was in disbelief and excited. 

Kitimat is excited, but this doesn't necessarily mean that Kitimat gets a CT scanner just yet. But it's a huge step. 

The next hurdle is getting approval from the Ministry of Health for installation, implementation and operation. Where is..? There he is. He's right there. 

For now, Kitimat is feeling a level of relief that their hospital will potentially have a CT scanner. The potential addition of a CT scanner also has added benefits. Many doctors prefer to work in hospitals that have CT scanners. And as we all know, recruitment and retention of health care workers is a problem in rural areas, including Kitimat. 

We're hoping the proposed CT scanner will persuade more doctors to take up practice and stay in Kitimat. 

The MLA also made note of some of his recent health challenges, providing a shout out for the medical staff in both Kitimat and Terrace.

And by the way, I was recently in the hospitals in Kitimat and Terrace for a CT scan. I had to travel that 140 kilometres.

And I just want to say thank you to all the health care workers who looked after me and my family in the Terrace hospital and the Kitimat hospital through a very stressful time.

You can review the MLA's full presentation to the Legislature  from the video posted to his Social media stream below:

More notes on the Fall session from Victoria can be explored through our archive pages for each of the Northwest MLA's.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.