DOSANJH PRAISES SASKATCHEWAN INNOVATION ON WAIT TIMES

Touring Regina General Hospital today, Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh praised the progress Saskatchewan is making in reducing wait times for residents.

Dosanjh and Saskatchewan Health Minister John Nilson visited the hospital's new interventional radiology suite, which opens next week.

"This investment shows the progress being made in Saskatchewan to reduce wait times through investments and innovative initiatives," Minister Dosanjh said. "The work of Minister Nilson and the Saskatchewan government is yielding the kind of concrete evidence and results Canadians want to see. It is also testimony to Saskatchewan's commitment to meeting the targets and timelines for wait time reductions established in the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care agreed to by all First Ministers just over a year ago."

"Saskatchewan has been working hard this year to meet our commitments under the Federal Provincial Health Accord," Nilson said during the tour. "This radiology suite is an example of how federal contributions over the past three years have allowed Saskatchewan Health and our health regions improve access to care and reduce waiting list times."

Replacing an existing unit, the suite has a more flexible layout that will increase its efficiency and improve its ability to handle procedures that previously would require an operating room.

The existing suite will be renovated to house southern Saskatchewan's second MRI. Renovations will begin next week to install the new MRI, allowing an additional 6,000 scans each year, which will help reduce diagnostic wait times.

The $5 million combined cost of acquiring and installing the MRI and interventional radiology suite is funded jointly by federal and provincial Health departments and the Hospitals of Regina Foundation.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

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