Thunder Bay Health Centre to Enhance Cancer Care Services
The Ontario government has announced a financial commitment of up to $9.3 million to enhance cancer care services at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. This funding will facilitate the renovation of approximately 3,100 square feet of hospital space to accommodate a new Positron Emission Tomography-Computerized Tomograph (PET-CT) scanner and expand the linear accelerator (LINAC) service from two to three units. The expansion aims to increase patient capacity for radiation therapy in Northwestern Ontario.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is one of 14 regional cancer centres in Ontario, providing various services for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The new PET-CT scanner and additional LINAC unit are expected to improve access to cancer care for residents in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas.
Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, stated that the investment is part of ongoing efforts to connect more Ontarians to convenient health care options closer to home. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan, highlighted the significance of the investment in enhancing local health care services.
The initiative is part of Ontario's broader health care strategy, which includes investments in health infrastructure and workforce expansion to improve access to care across the province.