MRI SERVICES IMPROVING IN REGINA

Patients across southern Saskatchewan will have access to the most advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services available with the installation of a new MRI unit in Regina.

The Government of Saskatchewan, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) and the Hospitals of Regina Foundation have come together to fund the purchase and installation of the $3.2 million MRI at Regina General Hospital, which will replace the older of Regina's two MRI units.

"We are committed to providing patients with top quality diagnostic imaging services in a timely manner," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "The new MRI will help us serve patients more efficiently, improve the quality of exams and give our health professionals new opportunities to apply the latest technology to patient care."

The Ministry of Health is contributing $1.82 million toward the purchase of the new MRI. The RQHR is providing $1.08 million and the Hospitals of Regina Foundation $335,000.

"We are pleased to be installing this new MRI, which is the most advanced available for use on patients and the first for Saskatchewan," RQHR CEO and President Dwight Nelson said. "This new technology will allow health professionals to have the best possible images of patients to ensure more accurate diagnosis of health conditions and the most appropriate medical care."

"The Hospitals of Regina Foundation is very pleased to help fund the purchase of a new MRI," Hospitals of Regina Foundation CEO Judy Davis said. "Our donors are key to our ability to enhance Regina's hospitals and our contribution to the new MRI is only possible because of them. We are proud to partner with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and the Ministry of Health on such a vital piece of equipment. Our role is to help build a healthier community and we can only do that through co-operative partnerships and donor generosity."

The old MRI has been dismantled, and installation of the new replacement machine is expected to be completed in the spring. During this process, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region is using a mobile MRI unit to ensure it has two MRI units operating to meet patients' needs.

This year the province provided the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region with an additional $840,000 to increase the number of patients it provides with MRI service.

Saskatchewan currently has five permanent MRI units. Two are located at Regina General Hospital, and one each at Royal University Hospital, City Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon. Lloydminster also shares a mobile MRI with several Alberta communities, offering services one week of every five.

The Ministry of Health provides practical information about diagnostic imaging services on its website at www.health.gov.sk.ca/diagnostic-imaging. Patients can find out about the referral process, exam procedures, where services are available, and how long they may wait for a test.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Mark Torjusen
Public Affairs, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332

Jennifer Bailey
Hospitals of Regina Foundation
Regina
Phone: 306-766-7516