MRI a Step Closer
After two years of extensive planning and fundraising the new MRI Pod was craned into position at Hamilton Base Hospital (HBH) on Tuesday 17 January followed by the MRI Machine on Saturday 21 January
Weighing in at nearly 16 tonnes, the Pod made its 1,850 kilometre journey from Brisbane to Hamilton ahead of the MRI machine.
Chief Executive, Rohan Fitzgerald says the culmination of two years extensive planning and fundraising is finally coming to fruition with the arrival of the Pod and the installation of the MRI machine taking place on Saturday 21 January.
“We chose to install an external Pod and connect it to the main building using a link way because we didn’t have sufficient room in the existing radiology department to house an MRI.
Knowing the benefits of an MRI for our customers meant we needed to be really innovative in finding a solution to a tough problem. Even though it’s been an incredibly complex project we are delighted with how it’s come together,’ he said.
Over the weekend the MRI machine was carefully craned into its Pod ready for the final fit out and installation. The morning’s activity drew plenty of attention from onlookers and WDHS staff who eagerly watched the crane as it manoeuvred the MRI machine into position.
Thanks to the amazing support we have received from the community and the hard work from our own team we are now in a position to proceed with the project. Chris Steel Designs and local businesses, including Ultrabuild Construction, have also been incredibly supportive – for which we are extremely grateful.
As a community we should be really proud of what we have achieved in making this important project become a reality. We anticipate the MRI will be fully commissioned for service in the next few weeks and the first clients should be able to access the MRI by late February,” Mr Fitzgerald said.