The Department of Health and Community Services has provided funding of $196,000 to Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services to implement radiology technology at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander and the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls–Windsor.

The equipment is a wire-free, radiation-free system that assists with locating soft-tissue lesions during surgery. The technology consists of an introducer needle with a preloaded magnetic marker. This technology:

• Reduces delays in access to surgery and aids in planning with respect to radiology resources.
• Averts potential adverse outcomes from such a delay.
• Aids in patient comfort.

Currently, lesions are marked pre-operatively by interventional radiology using a wire to mark targeted areas on the day of surgery. This practice can significantly impact timely access to required surgery for the patient due to logistics and human resource challenges.

The radiology technology will allow radiologists and surgeons to precisely locate lesions for removal and more precisely limit the removal of soft tissue margins around the lesion.

This funding from the department to implement new radiology technology in Central Newfoundland is another example of the Provincial Government’s efforts to implement creative solutions to improve and reimagine the health care system, building on recommendations in Health Accord NL, for the well-being of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Quotes
“Embracing technology is one way to modernize and transform our health care system. Through the power of innovative tools, we can enhance patient care, improve outcomes and revolutionize the way we approach wellness. This initiative is one more step in our government’s commitment to reimagining our health care system.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“NL Health Services is pleased to implement this new technology at both the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander and the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor. Innovative technology, such as this, provides us with opportunities to enhance health-care delivery and improve timely access within the Central Zone, while providing a more comfortable experience for our patients leading up to surgery.”
Joanne Pelley
Chief Operating Officer – Central Zone and Provincial Chief Nursing Officer
NL Health Services

-30-

Learn more
Health Care Action

Follow us on X @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook