Ontario Expanding Access to MRI Services in Burlington

The Ontario government is improving people’s access to diagnostic imaging services and reducing wait times by investing over $1.6 million to support the operations of 1 new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine at Joseph Brant Hospital.  

“I am thrilled that Joseph Brant Hospital will be receiving this important funding to help improve diagnostic services and backlog,” said Natalie Pierre, MPP for Burlington. “This operational funding will ensure that patients from Burlington and surrounding areas are not waiting months to receive an MRI, allowing for faster and more convenient access to diagnostic imaging.” 

This funding will provide Joseph Brant Hospital with annual operational funding for 1 new MRI machine. For people in Burlington, this means they will have more convenient access to diagnostic imaging. 

“Our government is ensuring hospitals across the province have the funds they need to operate their new MRI machines and increase access to diagnostic imaging for people in their communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “For some communities, this funding means they will have their first-ever MRI machine and residents will have more convenient access to care closer to home.”   

This funding is part of the government’s investment of over $20 million to support the operations of 27 new MRI machines in hospitals across Ontario. With more MRI services throughout the province, patients can be diagnosed faster and if needed, begin treatment and follow-up care even sooner.  
 

Quick Facts:  

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of organs and tissues in the body. MRIs are used to diagnose many health problems, including brain injuries, heart disease and various tumours and cancers.  
• This funding brings the total investment in operational funding for new MRI machines to $40 million, increasing the government’s 2021-22 commitment to invest $30 million by an additional $10 million to help hospitals increase MRI capacity and services. In total, the province is providing operational funding for 49 new MRI machines in 42 hospitals across the province.  
• As part of its Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery, through the Surgical Recovery Strategy, the government is adding more than 150,000 one-time additional operating hours in 2022-23 for hospital-based MRI and CT machines, ensuring better and more equitable access to diagnostic imaging services. 
• The Ontario government is investing over $300 million in 2022/23 as part of the province’s surgical recovery strategy, bringing the total investment to approximately $880 million over the last three fiscal years. 

Additional Resources:  

• Ontario Expanding Access to MRI Services Across the Province  
• Ontario Investing to Reduce Surgical Wait Times in Eastern Ontario 
• Ontario Ramping Up Efforts to Reduce Surgical Wait Times 
• Ontario Launching New $30 Million Surgical Innovation Fund 
• Ontario Introduces A Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery