The medical isotope shortage has forced officials at Grey Bruce Health Services to postpone some tests.
President and CEO Maureen Solecki tells us they look at all the cases on a day to day basis and proceed with the most urgent tests.
Solecki tells Bayshore Broadcasting News they are focusing on patients who need an urgent diagnosis for an upcoming surgery.
Just like many other hospitals across Ontario — Solecki says they have a limited supply of isotopes after the shutdown of the Chalk River reactor.
Solecki says they are getting their isotopes from Belgium.
The medical isotopes are primarily used at Grey Bruce Health Services to detect bone cancer, heart ailments and for breast cancer surgery.
Solecki admits as an alternative to nuclear medicine, they are using imaging tests such as ultrasounds, MRI’s and CT scans.
There’s also word the Chalk River reactor will be shutdown for another two months and Solecki says the shortage will be an ongoing concern.