MRI CAPACITY EXPANDS IN SASKATCHEWAN

The Saskatchewan government is following through on its budget commitment to expand access to diagnostic services in the province.

Hours of operation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services have increased again in both Regina and Saskatoon. Both Regina and Saskatoon Health Regions have introduced staged increases to MRI hours, as part of a multi-pronged strategy to increase MRI access in the province.

The strategy also includes the acquisition of a second MRI in Regina in 2005.

"We are making great progress in maximizing access to diagnostic services, which was identified as a high priority in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care," Health Minister John Nilson said. "Federal funding will improve our ability to focus on this area, and help us provide the necessary resources to make quality health care services easily accessible to all residents."

Saskatoon Regional Health Authority added two 8-hour weekend shifts in late September, and Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authority added one 8-hour weekend shift in early October. Both regions increased hours earlier this year, and plan further increases that will result in an additional 2,200 MRI exams in Saskatoon, and another 1,800 more in Regina annually.

Nilson said that by the end of the year, he expects to have a co-ordinated provincial plan for access to diagnostic services, which would include MRI, CT (computerized tomography) and X-ray services, using the knowledge gained from the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network (SSCN). It is being developed by a Provincial Diagnostic Steering Committee chaired by Dr. Peter Glynn.



Improved access to diagnostic services is a key focus for Saskatchewan Health. MRI capacity in Saskatchewan has increased by 145 per cent since 1998. The 2004-05 budget invested an additional $1.8 million in diagnostic service, which will allow an additional 4,000 MRI, an increase of about 30% over the previous year, as well as 2,700 CT scans annually.

MRIs use magnetism, radio waves and computers to enable physicians to detect conditions such as MS, brain or spinal infections and evaluate tumours and masses in soft tissues.\0ase

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For More Information, Contact:

Lindy McIntrye Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-8214