The MRI suite at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital officially opened on July 7, 2025, but some residents are still having to travel out of town for the service.
“Some patients are currently travelling outside the region for MRI services due to demand exceeding our current capacity and the scope of services we offer,” stated Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) spokesperson Bobbie Clark.
She said the MRI scanner is currently funded to operate eight hours a day, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), which translates to about 12–14 scans daily, but MAHC is actively working to expand access.
“High demand, and some reduced capacity at some other regional MRI sites, has led to a wait time of approximately 6–7 months for non-urgent cases. Patients can choose to seek care elsewhere if they are able to access an earlier appointment. However, all urgent priority cases are performed within provincial standards,” she added via email correspondence.
Those provincial standards are classified according to the seriousness or time sensitivity of the suspected condition. They are as follows:
- Priority 1=same day (within 24 hours and often done through the Emergency Department or inpatient care)
- Priority 2=within 48 hours
- Priority 3=within 10 days
- Priority 4=within 28 days
Huntsville Hospital site does not offer breast and prostate MRI services, so patients requiring these scans will need to travel outside of the region.
“Breast and prostate [scans] require additional equipment and software which is quite costly and is something we would hope to work towards in the future,” added Clark.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
To Anne Datema: : I am so very sorry that you are experiencing long waits. That’s very frustrating. Also, your long wait time actually adds to our overloaded healthcare system. You need other services such as a physiotherapist, possibly Rxs. I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty but to say that the long wait times equals an added burden to our overloaded and under funded healthcare system.
Unfortunately, with more cuts coming, wait time will increase (not my opinion, fact). We need to keep that in mind; Doug Ford is privatizing healthcare, cutting back on education – among other things.
So, we must vote wisely.
What is wrong with our health care system. It is not broken it is scattered. I have been to my family doctor and have been diagnosed with the right knee being bone on bone and the bone is deteriorating. Also the left knee is in poor condition. In Nov./25 I was seen at RVH hospital and the next step is for an orthopaedic surgeon to book an appointment for me to see what is the next step-probably a knee replacement. I received a call a month ago and I picked up on the fifth ring and the line was dead. I called right back and left a message regarding this. I still have not had a call back. My knee is getting worse although I am walking and doing exercises given to me by my physiotherapist. I called my doctor and I booked an appointment which is 2 months away. The next day I called the office to see if I could get an appointment when there is a cancellation. I was told to call in each day to see if there is a cancellation. My concern is that my right knee is getting worse and so is my left knee. Now my back is hurting also. The longer I wait the more health issues I have. My quality of life is decreasing and I struggle daily to get around with no help from the health care system. HELP!!!
For Roger. Is the MRI in Buffalo running 24/7 ?
If you run 24/7, you may have an appointment at 3am. That’s what 24/7 would be.
I had an MRI in Barrie 3 weeks ago. Waited 2 weeks after the doctors appointment. That’s very quick.
I contacted Graydon Smith’s office. They tell me that Graydon secured $900,000/ year for the operation of the MRI . With this kind of funding the issue might lie in the management of the MRI. Perhaps MAHC can gives us a more thorough explanation of why the MRI operates so little.
ProScan Buffalo does Canadian patient within one week.
716-839-2600
The MRI at hospital in Barrie runs 24/7.
So I would “assume” ours could withstand the use.
I don’t know how this is governed but it is a shame the MRI can’t be utilized 24/7. (That is if the equipment can stand that much use. ) Let’s all give Graydon a call so he can bring this up with his fellow MPP that is in charge of this kind of funding.