New MRI service expected to improve access, reduce wait times and support earlier diagnoses across Delta and surrounding communities
Residents of Delta and neighbouring communities will soon have improved access to advanced diagnostic imaging services as Delta Hospital moves forward with an $18-million project to install its first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit.
The investment, announced by Fraser Health, will bring MRI services directly to Delta Hospital and is expected to significantly enhance access to diagnostic care closer to home. The project is being funded through a partnership involving Fraser Health, the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation, and community donors.
Health officials say the addition of MRI services will help address growing demand for diagnostic imaging while reducing the need for patients to travel to other hospitals in the region.
“People living in and around Delta will have peace of mind knowing they will have increased access to MRI scans, close to home,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Investing in this new diagnostic imaging equipment means people and care providers getting the information needed for better patient outcomes, while reducing wait times.”
MRI Capacity to Support Up to 10,000 Exams Annually
Once operational, the new MRI unit is expected to perform between 7,500 and 10,000 scans each year. The additional capacity is anticipated to improve access to timely diagnostic services for patients requiring assessments for conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries and other complex medical concerns.
Healthcare leaders say earlier access to diagnostic imaging plays a critical role in identifying medical conditions sooner and enabling faster treatment decisions.
“The new MRI service at Delta Hospital will enhance access to timely diagnostic imaging for the growing communities we serve,” said Dermot Kelly, President and CEO, Fraser Health. “By supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment, this investment will help improve outcomes and strengthen care closer to home. I am grateful to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation, its donors, and our Fraser Health teams whose commitment and collaboration made this milestone possible.”
Construction and installation work are expected to continue over the next several years, with project completion targeted for December 2028.
Community Foundation Commits to Funding Entire Project
A key component of the initiative is the financial commitment from the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation, which has pledged to fund the full cost of the project, including both the MRI equipment and the required facility renovations.
The Foundation plans to launch a major fundraising campaign later this year to help secure community support for the initiative.
“Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation is committed to fully funding the entire $18 million cost of this project, including the MRI equipment and the renovation of the space needed to bring this service to the Delta Hospital Campus of Care,” says Lisa Hoglund, CEO, Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation. “Access to MRI services has been a long-standing need in Delta, and our community has advocated for this for many years. This fall, we will officially launch our fundraising campaign and invite the community to come together around this critical investment that will bring diagnostic care closer to home and improve health outcomes for generations to come.”
The Foundation noted that the addition of MRI services has been a priority for local residents and healthcare advocates for many years, reflecting the community’s desire for expanded healthcare services within Delta.
Part of Broader Fraser Health Diagnostic Imaging Strategy
The Delta Hospital project forms part of a wider effort by Fraser Health to expand and modernize diagnostic imaging services across the region.
Recent investments include new and upgraded CT and MRI scanners at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgical Centre, an upgraded MRI unit at Peace Arch Hospital, and a new MRI scanner at Surrey Memorial Hospital alongside the refurbishment of an existing machine.
Major redevelopment projects underway at Burnaby Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, and the new Surrey hospital and BC Cancer Centre are also expected to introduce additional MRI and CT imaging technology.
Health authorities say these investments are intended to improve access to diagnostic services, reduce wait times and ensure patients receive timely care as demand for healthcare services continues to grow throughout the Fraser Health region.
Fraser Health serves communities across the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and supports a population through a network of hospitals, community-based services and more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers.