CT SERVICE OFFICIALLY OPENS IN THE BATTLEFORDS

Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) has unveiled its new computerized tomography (CT) scanner, an initiative that will provide residents with convenient, stable CT service close to home. Health Minister John Nilson joined Prairie North Health Region officials and community supporters today at the official opening.

"This investment reaffirms our commitment to improve access to vital health services to residents across the province," Nilson said. "We have already made great progress increasing diagnostic imaging capacity and reducing wait lists, and this new CT suite will help continue those positive trends."

The new scanner is one of two purchased for Prairie North Health Region. The other began operating in Lloydminster earlier this week. Together, the two scanners cost approximately $1.5 million. Both projects have also been well supported by their respective hospital and region health foundations through fundraising and community donations.

"High quality diagnostic imaging service has been identified as a priority by our region, its health professionals, and the public," Prairie North Health Region Chairperson Bonnie O'Grady said. "Having permanent CT service now available in The Battlefords makes the regional hospital a more attractive workplace, contributes to its stability, and encourages specialists to locate here. In every sense, it's good for The Battlefords and the surrounding communities."

"Our residents need and deserve the best possible health care we can provide," Government Relations Minister and The Battlefords MLA Len Taylor said. "This CT service not only benefits individual patients and their families every day, it illustrates the high quality and accessibility of our health care services."

The BUH scanner will be able to conduct approximately 3,500 scans annually. In 2004-05, more than 90,000 CT scans were done province-wide, an increase of about nine percent over the previous year. In 2005-06, capacity is projected to reach more than 100,000 scans.

CT scans enable physicians to take cross-sectional images of bones, muscles and organs that are more accurate than a general X-ray.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083

Linda Lewis Prairie North Health Region North Battleford Phone: (306) 446-6625