CURRENT
NEEDS
NEEDS
Early diagnosis starts here.
YOU make it possible.
Today, more than 88,000 individuals (patients age 40-74) meet the criteria for the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) in the North Simcoe Muskoka region. Within that population, 16,940 residents in the GBGH catchment area have already been identified as eligible for mammography imaging, but they will have to travel nearly 50km for this vital diagnostic test.
The OBSP has a target of 90% of patients diagnosed within 7 weeks of an abnormal screen. Currently, only 61% of North Simcoe OBSP patients are meeting that target due to wait times, travel and other barriers to access.
GBGH has invested in other breast health services, and already provides breast tissue biopsies, which are arranged following an abnormal mammogram to determine a diagnosis of a benign tumor or breast cancer. Having this service in our community decreases travel, improves wait times and provides OBSP patients with excellent care in their home hospital.
Together, we can bring mammography imaging to GBGH, offering patients a holistic journey of care close to home – from screening to biopsy, and both pre- and post-operative care. We can make care accessible for our community, including our most vulnerable and marginalized populations.
We are in an excellent position to launch a mammography program at Georgian Bay General Hospital. Here’s why:
We’re opening our MRI program in early 2025 and have invested in a breast imaging coil, which is crucial for applying to the Ontario Breast Screening Program as a high-risk site.
We currently have a certified breast imaging technologist on staff, which means we have the expertise needed for program planning and mentoring new staff.
Our team is focused on ‘making excellent care personal’ and is designing the program to make the entire experience as welcoming and comfortable as possible.
