Latest news with #CKHA
CTV News
05-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Longer than normal wait times at CKHA
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) said wait times will be longer than normal due to an influx in patients in the emergency department. It ensures that critically ill patients will remain the priority for service. If you are not experiencing an emergency, you are asked to look for care in community settings, like your family physician or walk-in clinic to reduce strain at the emergency department. In Chatham-Kent, walk-in clinics and other resources are available here.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New AI-powered imaging software enhances stroke care at CKHA
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has introduced new imaging software, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), in an effort to enhance stroke care. The technology will help diagnose and treat patients that come in with stroke-like symptoms. RAPID AI quickly looks at the brain scans, helping doctors make faster and more accurate treatment decisions. 'Time is absolutely critical when treating stroke,' said Dr. Stacey Speer, chief of radiology at CKHA. 'RAPID AI gives our team fast, reliable information. It highlights areas of the brain that are in trouble and shows whether blood flow is being blocked. That allows us to make quicker, more confident decisions about how to treat our patients.' RAPID AI for strokes chatham-kent RAPID AI in use. (Source: Chatham-Kent Health Alliance) The software spits out an automated 'ASPECTS score', which then help decide if a patient is a good fit for a certain procedure, like removing a blood clot from the brain. 'This is exactly the kind of impact our donors hope to make,' said Christine Mitchell, president and CEO of the CKHA Foundation. 'We're thrilled to fund the implementation of this AI technology. It's improving patient care in a very real, immediate way, and helping our hospital stay at the forefront of stroke care.'
Hamilton Spectator
28-04-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Wallaceburg hospital fundraising halfway home
Hometown health care in Wallaceburg has hit another milestone. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation officially launched the Our Hospital, Our Future Wallaceburg Site Redevelopment fundraising campaign recently, with a goal of raising $9 million. That's the community's portion of the build that will see a re-imagined emergency department and other state-of-the-art services. The project could break ground as early as the summer 2026, CKHA president and CEO Adam Topp told the crowd, with construction on the full-service emergency department to take an estimated two years. 'The next time we get this group together, we'll have our 20,000-square-foot building,' he said, noting he was excited to unveil renderings of the new structure that were on display at the event. 'We have been working really hard to make sure that the building we're going to build represents the community and the wonderful town of Wallaceburg,' he said, noting getting shovels in the ground could take up to two years. According to Topp, the three-stage capital project is nearing the end of its second phase, with detailed drawings about to be submitted to the province for approval. After that, he said the project will go out to tender followed by construction. The drive is already halfway to the goal. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent committed $4.5-million towards the redevelopment in 2023 and the Sydenham Ladies Auxiliary is pitching in $100,000. A number of accomplishments in the site's redevelopment have been made in recent years. This includes the completion of the replacement power plant in 2022, made possible through a $7.3 million investment from the province in 2020. A new medical daycare facility was opened in 2023. The province has committed $42 million for the capital project. CKHA Foundation president and CEO Christine Mitchell echoed Topp on the hospital's importance to Wallaceburg and area. 'This hospital isn't just a building – it's an important part of the history of this community, and today we celebrate that history while also looking towards a bright future for health care here in Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent,' Mitchell said. Mitchell called the fundraising launch exciting, noting donors can now see renderings and drawings of the new site – providing a concrete visual for donors. 'We want to continue to engage with the community, to invite them to be with us every step of the way,' she said. Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor, who brought greetings on behalf of Chatham-Kent, said she's looking forward to standing on the site 'with a shovel' next year. In his comments, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault praised his predecessor Monte McNaughton for taking up the cause to keep Wallaceburg's hospital open. 'Monte tirelessly advocated for this hospital,' Pinsonneault said. 'His deep commitment got us over the threshold of the province getting funding here. I'm looking forward to carrying on Monte's legacy.' Officials also paid homage to the dogged determination of Save Our Sydenham – the grassroots group formed 16 years ago to stop the proposed closure of the hospital. S.O.S. founding chairman Jeff Wesley and current chair Conrad Noel also took to the podium. Both men expressed their appreciation to officials and the community for making the hospital's renewal a reality. 'Thank you all for making a difference,' Wesley said, adding the fundraising drive is the final task remaining.
