New linear accelerator will connect more people to life-saving care in the northwest
The Ontario government has invested up to $9.3 million to support the expansion of Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre’s cancer care services, connecting more people in Northwestern Ontario to life-saving radiation therapy, closer to home.
Through this investment, approximately 3,100 sq ft of hospital space has been renovated to house a new Positron Emission Tomography-Computerized Tomograph (PET-CT) scanner used in diagnostics and the expansion of the linear accelerator (LINAC) service from two to three units, allowing for additional patient capacity.
“Our government is continuing to make record investments in health care to connect more Ontarians to convenient care options, close to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This expanded radiation therapy in Thunder Bay will allow even more people across Northwestern Ontario to access state-of-the-art cancer care closer to home, when they need it most.”
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is one of 14 regional cancer centres in Ontario that provide a range of advanced services to screen, diagnose, and treat cancers.
“I’m proud to see our government’s continued commitment to improving health care in Northern Ontario through this significant investment at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “The addition of the new PET-CT scanner and expanded linear accelerator service means that patients in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario can now access critical cancer care services closer to home. This investment is a game changer for families in our region, allowing more people to receive life-saving treatment more quickly and conveniently.”
Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario is helping connect more Ontarians to convenient care, closer to home, for years to come.
QUICK FACTS
- A linear accelerator (LINAC) delivers high-energy beams of radiation to target tumours and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is offered at the 14 regional cancer centres and three satellite facilities across Ontario.
- Over the next 10 years, Ontario’s investments will lead to nearly $50 billion in health infrastructure across the province, building 3,000 new beds in addition to over 3,500 critical care, acute and post-acute beds our government has added since 2020.
- The province is continuing to grow the health care workforce adding a historic number of new nurses and laboratory technologists through the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, As of Right rules and the 700 additional education seats for medical radiation and imaging technologists, medical laboratory technologists, medical lab technicians and medical radiation extenders announced in the 2024 budget.
- The Ontario government is investing more than $228 million this year to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 129 hospitals and 58 community healthcare facilities across the province, a 10 percent increase from last year.
QUOTES
“Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is dedicated to providing the patients and families we serve with the highest quality care. The Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is essential to meet the growing need for radiation therapy. It will improve access to care for cancer patients, and the PETCT scanner is paramount for enhancing our cancer care. This significant investment in advanced radiation therapy technology will strengthen our ability to serve our community and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every individual in Northwestern Ontario has access to life-saving cancer treatments right here at home.”
– Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute