The Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation has officially unveiled the Jack & Sylvia Gin Emergency & Trauma Imaging Centre, also known as GinETIC, at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia. This satellite imaging centre, made possible by a generous donation from Jack and Sylvia Gin, represents a significant advancement in emergency and trauma care.
Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities in the Emergency Department
GinETIC integrates CT scan, ultrasound, and X-ray capabilities directly within the Emergency Department. This strategic placement allows medical teams to quickly assess tens of thousands of emergency patients each year, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment initiation during critical moments.
Jack Gin emphasized the importance of speed in emergencies: "In an emergency, speed of diagnosis is important, and this simple but essential solution of GinETIC can be crucial in allowing greater accessibility for medical practitioners and helping to save lives. This is a proud and significant partnership for our Foundation."
Strategic Location in the Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower
The new imaging suite is located within the Emergency Department of the soon-to-open Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower. This purpose-built space is designed to play a central role in delivering urgent and complex care as Royal Columbian Hospital enters a new era of healthcare.
Royal Columbian Hospital is one of British Columbia's two adult Level 1 trauma centres and a designated stroke centre for Fraser Health. In these high-acuity environments, immediate access to imaging is critical for determining the best course of care.
Expert Insights on Clinical Impact
Dr. Will Siu, a neuro-interventional radiologist at Royal Columbian Hospital, highlighted the benefits: "As a radiologist, I see every day how essential imaging is in guiding urgent care decisions. With GinETIC, we now can perform CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasound steps away from where patients first arrive. That proximity allows us to diagnose faster, support more timely treatment decisions, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients when every minute matters."
The Emergency Department in the Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower includes 75 treatment spaces and is designed to handle a high volume of complex cases. By embedding advanced imaging directly within the department, GinETIC reduces the need to transport patients elsewhere in the hospital, saving critical time for both patients and care teams.
Community Support and Future of Healthcare
Jeff Norris, President & CEO of Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, expressed gratitude: "This space will support patients and care teams in some of the most urgent situations. We are deeply grateful to the Jack & Sylvia Gin Foundation for their generosity and vision. Their support, alongside the contributions of so many donors, is helping bring the Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower to life. Together, it stands as a powerful example of what is possible when a community comes together to invest in the future of healthcare."
