An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine utilizes magnetic fields and radio signals to visualize internal body structure. there is no ionizing radiation present like you would find with CAT scans or X-Rays. There are no side effects with MRI scans.

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Comox Valley MRI Opens Its Doors

Currently there are 6 private MRI scanners operating in BC. Now local residents can take advantage of having an MRI machine right here in the Comox Valley. Located in Courtenay at 1211 Ryan Road, the new MRI is the only one north of Nanaimo, and only one of 4 on Vancouver Island. With waiting lists for MRI scans at 4 months or more, and requiring trips to either Victoria, Nanaimo, or Vancouver, the privately operated Comox Valley MRI will take pressure off the health care system waiting lists by servicing patients from insured workers, ICBC, Blue Cross, and other private insurers who currently have priority access to the machines on the South Island. The local MRI can also take referrals from local doctors with patients who prefer not to wait and are prepared to pay for their own scans.

At this point, Comox Valley MRI is not contracted to do BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) patients funded scans, although the owners would be happy to provide the service if it was deemed necessary. Setting it up and getting it certified and operational were just the first in a series of steps towards having the facility available to all patients and doctors in the region.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine utilizes magnetic fields and radio signals to visualize internal body structure to create detailed pictures allowing doctors to assess the brain, spine and joints for tumors or injuries in greater detail than on regular X-Rays or CAT scans which rely on ionizing radiation. There are no side effects from MRI scans. MRI scans allow physicians to ‘take a look’ without resorting to exploratory surgery.

Perrey explained that at the present time, the MRI machine is operating on a part time schedule. “Once the work load warrants it, we hope to have a full time technician relocate to the Comox Valley,” he said.

“We are very excited about this latest addition to the medical services available in the Comox Valley. I came to St. Josephs in 1991 to operate their CAT scan,” said Dr. O’Reilly. “We finally purchased the Dr. Bob Clarke CAT Scan in 2001 thanks to a huge community effort. We need an MRI in the Valley now. I didn’t want to wait another 10 more years for one. If we are going to attract and keep doctors in the Comox Valley, it is imperative we provide them the best tools to do their jobs. The MRI is one of those tools.”

The Comox Valley MRI Clinic is owned and operated by the same team which opened the doors of the Comox Valley Surgical Centre in Cumberland and is one of 7 private clinics in BC. Morris Perrey, a local businessman and Dr. Mike O’Reilly, a radiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital are the principal partners, working with a dedicated team of technicians, nurses, and doctors to provide a range of medical services to patients from the Comox Valley and the North Vancouver Island region. In the 18 months since opening the Comox Valley Surgical Centre has performed well over 1000 surgeries. These patients could still be on MSP waiting lists, debilitated by their injuries. “We utilize the skills of 30+ medical specialists who are certified to perform medical procedures at our facility.” Perry added.

Both see the role of the Surgical Centre and the new MRI machine as working side by side with St. Josephs Hospital and the existing public health care system in the Comox Valley, by reducing waiting times, eliminating long trips out of town, and helping people get well quicker.

REDUCING WAITING LISTS ON A CLOSE TO COST BASIS

The Comox Valley Surgical Centre is the only private Surgical Centre on Vancouver Island participating with the Ministry of Human Resources in providing dental services at a close to cost basis. “By performing dental work on over 200 Ministry of Human Resources patients annually (compared to 10 or 20 per year by local regional hospitals), we have dramatically reduced waiting lists in this area.