CT SERVICE BEGINS IN SUNRISE HEALTH REGION

Residents of Yorkton and the surrounding area now have access to a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner.

Health Minister John Nilson joined key health region officials and community supporters at the official opening of the Yorkton Regional Health Centre's new CT suite today.

"This is an excellent example of a successful partnership between government, Sunrise Health Region, and the community," Health Minister John Nilson said. "It provides people in east-central Saskatchewan with more convenient, stable CT service, and affirms our commitment to improve access to vital health services to residents across the province."

The new CT scanner is one of three purchased for southern Saskatchewan, using $2.1 million from the province's Medical and Diagnostic Equipment Fund. The other scanners are in Swift Current and Moose Jaw.

Expansion of diagnostic imaging services is a key recommendation in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care.

The government announced in November that two additional CT scanners will be located in North Battleford and Lloydminster, using new federal health funding. Twenty million dollars will be directed toward improving diagnostic services in Saskatchewan. It will allow an additional 5,000 to 6,000 CT scans to be done this fiscal year, and will also enable the province to upgrade existing scanners in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.

"Yorkton's new scanner will help provide residents with access to more convenient, stable CT service," Sunrise Regional Health Authority Chairperson Ben Weber said. "This is something that is recognized as a priority by the region, its health professionals, and the public. Permanent CT service makes our regional hospital a more attractive workplace, contributes to the stability of the facility, and encourages specialists to locate here. In every sense, it's good for our communities."

"This is great news for residents of our community, and the surrounding area," Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan Co-Chairperson Evan Ortynsky said. "The addition of a permanent CT scanner to Yorkton Regional Hospital is something we can all celebrate. We are proud to be a partner in this important initiative."

The Health Foundation has committed to raise $300,000 in local funds to assist in the purchase of a 10-slice CT scan, which will produce faster, more detailed and more defined images than the six-slice unit originally planned.

The scanner will be able to conduct approximately 3,000 scans annually. With all the new capacity planned provincially more than 85,000 scans will be done each year in Saskatchewan. 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:

Kimberly Kratzig Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-2743

Linda Jamieson Sunrise Health Region Yorkton Phone: (306) 786-0110