The Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation has officially launched a $3 million fundraising campaign to purchase a computed TOMography (CT) scanner for the GBHS Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton (Saugeen Shores).
Representatives from GBHS, including CEO Gary Sims, hospital staff, and Foundation Board members were on hand to kick-start the campaign. The campaign’s tagline, takes its name from the medical equipment it is raising funds for; the CT Scanner which is called a Computed TOMography scanner was the inspiration for the “Bring Tom To Town” fundraising campaign.
The campaign goal will cover the cost of purchasing the Computed TOMography equipment and software, installation of the CT and minor renovations at the hospital to ensure the area meets safety and infection control requirements. Thanks to a renovation in 2019 to the ER and Lab at the Southampton Hospital, there is now space to house the future CT suite and a waiting room.
Earlier this year, Ontario Health endorsed GBHS’s proposal to install a new CT at the hospital in Saugeen Shores. GBHS is optimistic that the Ministry of Health will grant the final approval required to purchase the equipment. As part of approval process, the Ministry requires that the community fund the purchase and installation of the CT, and the Ministry will pay any additional staffing costs related to operation of the scanner.
Currently, GBHS’s only CT scanner is at the Owen Sound Hospital. This CT scanner runs five days a week, ten hours per day for scheduled visits and is available 24/7 for urgent cases. CT scans are becoming the diagnostic tool of choice for many physicians, and the addition of a CT in Saugeen Shores will allow GBHS to better manage the increasing volume of CT patients. The new CT will also enable GBHS to provide timely access to CTs for the growing number of oncology patients needing this type of imaging. The CT scanner in Owen Sound provides specialized interventional scans that currently aren’t performed on other CTs in Bruce County. Adding a new scanner in Southampton will reduce wait times for patients across Bruce and Grey Counties in need of those specialized services by diverting some of the more routine scans to Saugeen Shores.
“We are very fortunate that the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation and the generous people of this community are committed to raising funds for this critical diagnostic 
equipment,” said Gary Sims, President and CEO of GBHS.
“This equipment will increase the level of care offered locally to patients, and help us attract skilled healthcare professionals to our family of hospitals.”
Representatives from Bruce Power were in attendance at today’s event to announce their continuing commitment to their five-year pledge announced in 2019 of $250,000 ($50,000/year) to the Hospital Foundation.
“Bruce Power is a long-time supporter of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, and is proud to contribute to the CT fundraising campaign that will have a positive impact for area residents,” said Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power. “Through our Corporate Social Responsibility program and supplier fundraising initiatives, Bruce Power will continue to invest in quality health care for area residents and visitors.”
To help launch the fundraising campaign Jarrod Shugg, representing Shawcor; a local nuclear supplier in Bruce County announced Shawcor’s gift to the CT campaign of $20,000. Shawcor also issued a challenge to other local nuclear suppliers to join them by stepping up and contributing a gift to the CT scanner campaign.
“In these challenging times, when hospitals are under additional stress due to the pandemic, Shawcor is pleased to be able to provide support to front-line health care in our local communities. We’re particularly honoured to help launch the $3 million Computerized Tomography (CT) Scanner campaign for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, alongside our partner Bruce Power,” Aaron Klejman, VP & GM Americas – ShawFlex and DSG-Canusa, Shawcor
Before closing the presentation today, local residents Jenny and James Scongack were pleased to announce that they will be this year’s Honorary Chairs of the Foundation’s annual Light the Way holiday campaign, which begins mid-November and runs until the end of December. Fundraising from Light the Way, which includes the Foundation’s annual ‘radiothon’ in December in partnership with 97.9The Bruce, will support the CT scanner fundraising efforts.
For more information or to donate to the CT scanner fundraising campaign visit www.bringtomtotown.com Or contact Tracy Murray, Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation 226-930-1114.
