By Ruby Pratka

Local Journalism Initiative

Patients and health-care professionals at the CLSC de Bedford now have access to state-of-the-art X-ray equipment thanks to a $465,000 contribution from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) and the Fondation Lévesque-Craighead.

The new wall-mounted, motorized remote-controlled machine and wheelchair-accessible examining table have been in use since Oct. 18, according to Stéphanie Davenport, head of medical imaging at the La Pommeraie local health network. Skeletal, chest and abdominal X-rays can be conducted in as little as five minutes with the new machine. The machine is the only one of its kind in the region for the moment, although two are expected to be installed at Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins hospital before the end of the year.

“The nearest hospital is 25-30 minutes away, so it’s important to have this in Bedford – it’s exactly the same kind of device we use in hospitals,” Davenport said.

X-ray technician Mélina Lévesque-Boyer said the new table is “user-friendly, rapid and precise” especially for wheelchair users, who no longer need to step or be supported onto the table. It speeds up service to patients and reduces wait times. The system also includes a camera which allows technicians to monitor patients’ movements during the scan and evaluate whether scans need to be redone.

“When people are in pain, we’ll be able to get them examined faster,” Davenport added.

According to the CLSC, about 2,000 X-rays are conducted there every year, mainly to diagnose broken bones, joint problems and lung disease.

The Fondation Lévesque-Craighead contributed $50,000 toward the purchase of the machine, money raised through donations from community members and local businesses and fundraising events. A drive-through spaghetti dinner on Oct. 27 served more than 900 people and collected at least $10,000 to top off the fundraising campaign for the new X-ray machine, according to the president of the foundation, Christiane Granger. “It’s important for us to maintain local services in the community, especially for elderly people.”

Granger said the donation was part of the volunteer-run foundation’s commitment to contribute $150,000 over three years for equipment and services at the CLSC and CHSLD in Bedford, adding “a little plus” to investments made by public health authorities. The foundation also plans to raise funds for the forthcoming CHSLD expansion in Bedford. She invited people interested in supporting the foundation’s efforts to visit its website at fondationlevesquecraighead.org.