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Elk Point’s X-ray service disruption paves the way for digital equipment

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Work is starting this week on Elk Point Healthcare Centre’s new Radiography suite, with completion slated for the end of March.

ELK POINT - Elk Point Healthcare Centre got a much-needed gift in its Christmas stocking, although it’s a gift that will affect outpatient services for most of three months.

Outpatient X-ray services at the Healthcare Centre were put on hold yesterday, and will not be available until approximately March 31, as the facility’s General Radiography suite undergoes an extensive renovation.

The renovation is necessary to prepare the room for the arrival of new digital radiography equipment.

“During this renovation, we will not be able to provide outpatient X-ray services at the facility. There is a mobile X-ray unit onsite and we will continue to provide limited X-ray examinations for emergencies and inpatients only, as per the DI Provincial Policy ‘Criteria for the use of mobile X-ray’,” according to Cora Therrien, the manager of Diagnostic Imaging for Alberta Health Services northeast region, who announced the upcoming change on Christmas Eve.

“Patients requiring outpatient X-rays will be able to bring their request to any AHS facility that provides General Radiography to have their X-ray performed. All facilities in the zone have been made aware of this disruption.”

A list of locations and operating hours for General Radiography is available online at General Radiography (X-Ray) Alberta Health Services.

Therrien, who said her department was “excited to confirm” the replacement of the present equipment, assures the public that “We will keep everyone informed as the project progresses and we will be very happy to reopen the brand new suite for the patients and staff in the community of Elk Point.”

The upgrade is definitely a plus for the community, according to Mayor Parrish Tung. “The Town appreciates the continuous effort from AHS to update its facility in our town to better serve our residents from this region," he said.

The Radiography update comes just four years after a major upgrade and enlargement of the Healthcare Centre’s laboratory was completed in early 2018.

Elk Point and District Chamber of Commerce president Terri Hampson is also enthusiastic about the upgrade. “Although this is a three-month hardship for those needing to go elsewhere for X-rays, it is super exciting to see a major renovation taking place at our Elk Point Healthcare Centre. This new digital radiography equipment is a big win for our community and the surrounding region we serve. Our hospital is vital to the people it serves each year. We hope the construction stays on course and we look forward to the grand opening of the suite."


About the Author: Vicki Brooker

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