BC says MRI and CT scans are on the rise

More people in British Columbia were able to access a MRI or CT scan in 2023-24 than ever before.

More people in British Columbia were able to access a MRI or CT scan in 2023-24 than ever before.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province worked with health authorities and medical imaging teams to increase capacity to perform more than 322,000 MRI exams and over 994,000 CT scans. 

The province says since 2016-17, the number of MRI exams performed each year in B.C. has increased by 83%. 

The government credits 18 new MRI scanners, bringing the total to 43 from 25, and adding nine new CT scanners, bringing the total to 72.

In addition to adding new scanners, the number of hours per week scanners operate is also increasing. In March, MRI scanners throughout the province operated 4,960 hours per week. That is 1,514 more hours per week than in March 2017. CT scanners are also being used more.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information annual report on how long Canadians waited for priority procedures, such as surgery and diagnostic imaging, in 2023 shows that B.C. has the second-shortest wait time in Canada: nine out of 10 people in B.C. waited 159 days or less for their MRI exam.

From 2019 to 2023, the number of full-time equivalent MRI technologist staff has increased by 133%.