Scarborough Health Network (SHN) continues to Build It Forward by bringing innovative and leading facilities to our community, including the Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department that is now planned to open its doors at our General Hospital in early 2025.
This groundbreaking project has been made possible through funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health, as well as thanks to the Love, Scarborough campaign and a transformative gift from the Northpine Foundation and donations from the community, other corporations, and generous individuals. After many years of planning, grit, and dedication, SHN is excited to bring this new diagnostic imaging hub to Scarborough.
“Our Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department will be one of the most advanced, modern imaging facilities in Toronto,” said Joanne Fernandes, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “We are redeveloping and expanding to ensure we meet our community’s healthcare needs into the future – featuring new technology in our diagnostic imaging machines, equipment, and suites, and growth in all modalities as well as staffing for our Diagnostic Imaging team.”
The new 36,000-square-foot department will double the footprint of imaging services at General Hospital. The facility will also bring together and support SHN’s dedicated team of radiologists, medical radiation and imaging technologists (MRIT), specialized nurses, and other related staff, who perform over 333,000 diagnostic imaging exams annually across our health network.
Key features of the new department include:
- An innovative breast imaging centre;
- Dedicated suites for nuclear medicine, CT, MRI, and ultrasound;
- A full interventional radiology unit with two procedure rooms, a preparation and recovery bay, and a dedicated nurses station; and
- Increased accommodation and consideration for the cultural and privacy concerns of our diverse community.
The Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department will also feature the new Siemens 3-Tesla (3T) MRI that was installed at General earlier this year and is already in operation. With a magnet twice as powerful as our health network’s other machines, this is the first 3T MRI in Scarborough.
“It’s so important to provide our teams with the equipment and space needed to continue delivering exceptional care. This expanded department allows us to leverage advanced technology and increased capacity to enhance testing, reduce wait times, and improve our patients’ care and experience,” said Dr. Steve Gazzola, Chief of Radiology and Medical Director. “Through the new Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department, we will be seeing more patients, better, and faster.”
The Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department is one of several key capital projects that SHN has been moving forward, including community engagement in spring 2023 on redevelopment for a new Birchmount Hospital, and the opening of the Community Mental Health Centre this year. A new hybrid operating room will also be coming to General Hospital in 2025, and in addition to the diagnostic imaging department, the Northpine Foundation’s $20-million-dollar donation is also dedicated to building the new Northpine Emergency Department at SHN’s Centenary hospital.
Over the coming months, SHN will continue to keep patients, families, healthcare partners, and community members informed about our Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the opening of this landmark facility.
Learn more about Diagnostic Imaging at SHN.
We’re hiring!
With the upcoming launch of our Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department, SHN is excited to share new opportunities for MRITs to join our growing team. Learn more at www.shn.ca/careers.