LDMHF News

On December 16th, 2011 nearly 100 people gathered outside the new Dialysis Unit at Leamington Hospital.  They were there to celebrate the opening of the long awaited for service that will treat kidney dialysis patients.  Patients, doctors, fundraisers, board members and staff watched as the ribbon was cut inviting the public into the new facility.  Tours carried on for the rest of the afternoon revealing a state of the art unit, that, when open, will immediately affect the quality of life for those requiring dialysis.

The local community helped make this unit possible by helping raise close to one million dollars.  Campaign chair Mel Pace was on hand to thank all those who had dug deep to make dialysis at Leamington Hospital a reality.  Several members of his immediate family are intimately  aware of the need for local dialysis as they were patients that had to travel to other cities for their treatment.  "This unit not only benefits the dialysis patient but their families as well," Pace reminded the audience.

The unit is scheduled to open for treatments in January of 2012.

The Women's Centre project will include much need renovations to the ultrasound and mammography departments as well as the purchase of digital mammography equipment to replace the existing film based technology.

"In keeping with Leamington Hospital's commitment to bringing the best possible healthcare for South Essex County I am very pleased that a new Digital Mammography unit will be added.  This will provide women, and occasionally men, with a state of the art breast cancer screening and detection tool," said Bryan Meyer, Chair, LDMH Board of Directors.

According to Rose Costa, Clinical Director of Diagnostic Services, the planned renovations will include improved reception and waiting areas, as well as expansion of the ultrasound and mammography suites to accomodate the new digital equipment.  "We are very excited about the project and the improvements it will bring to our services."

From the patient's point of view, having digital mammography is not much different than having a conventional mammogram.  Both use compression and X-rays to create clear images of the inside of the breast.  However, unlike conventional mammography, the images can be manipulated by the radiologist for improved picture quality.  Because digital mammography images are electronic. they can be transmitted quickly across our network and to other health care professionals such as surgeons when follow up is required.  Digital Mammography is particularly effective in breast cancer detection in women under 50 and others with dense breasts.

Bryan Meyer, Chair, LDMH Board of Directors
Leamington District Memorial Hospital
(519) 326-2373 ext. 4101