The Pas — A mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit that has been operating in northern Manitoba since June 2025 will start accepting patients in The Pas on Aug. 24, officials said, after being moved this month from Thompson to St. Anthony's General Hospital.
Expanding diagnostic capacity in the north
The trailer-based MRI — run under the Shared Health Manitoba umbrella — has already performed more than 3,000 diagnostic scans since its launch. It had been kept at Thompson General Hospital following its introduction, but was transferred to The Pas earlier in August and parked between the hospital and First Street West.
The mobile unit’s arrival is designed to shorten travel and wait times for residents of northern Manitoba communities who require advanced imaging, a chronic challenge for the region. Shared Health said the unit will travel between Thompson and The Pas on a more regular basis in future, although officials did not provide a firm schedule for rotations.
"The unit arrived in The Pas on Aug. 11 and will welcome its first patients on Aug. 24. Moving forward, the mobile unit will travel between Thompson and The Pas, strengthening northern health-care delivery," said a Shared Health spokesperson.
Background on the launch and earlier delays
The mobile MRI was launched in June 2025. Despite that, the unit remained stationary at Thompson for more than a year after its introduction. A government briefing last March attributed part of the delay to procurement issues: a province-issued request for proposals did not receive an approved bid, and an initial response returned only a single proposal that exceeded budget.
Shared Health’s data showing over 3,000 completed scans suggests the unit has been clinically active even while remaining in one location. Local health administrators and community leaders have previously said a travelling MRI would help reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to Winnipeg or other centres for diagnostic imaging.
What this means for patients
For many northern residents, access to timely MRI scans can be decisive for diagnosis and treatment planning for conditions ranging from neurological disorders to musculoskeletal injuries and cancer care. A mobile unit that alternates between northern hubs can reduce transportation burdens and delays in care.
Practically, patients and referring clinicians should expect:
- Appointments at St. Anthony's General Hospital in The Pas starting Aug. 24.
- Services provided from a trailer unit located near the hospital, intended to be functional and fully equipped for standard MRI imaging.
- Future rotations between Thompson and The Pas, with scheduling details to be issued by Shared Health as they are confirmed.
Key figures
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch month | June 2025 |
| Scans completed | More than 3,000 |
| Arrival in The Pas | Aug. 11, 2026 |
| First patients in The Pas | Aug. 24, 2026 |
The Shared Health spokesperson said the unit’s movement will strengthen northern health-care delivery. Local health providers and patients will be watching for confirmation on how frequently the trailer will alternate between centres and how bookings will be coordinated with existing hospital imaging services.
Community advocates have pointed to the need for stable staffing and clear scheduling for mobile services to meet demand. While the provincial health agency’s statement focused on the unit’s arrival and intended travel between hubs, it did not specify staffing models or the cadence of transfers between Thompson and The Pas.
The initiation of patient services in The Pas represents an incremental but tangible move toward improving equitable access to diagnostic imaging in Manitoba’s north. For many residents, the availability of an MRI closer to home could cut travel time, reduce costs and speed clinical decision-making.
Residents with questions about appointments for the mobile MRI should contact St. Anthony's General Hospital or Shared Health for the most up-to-date scheduling and referral information.
— Reporting from The Pas.
