CT SCANNER OPENS IN SASKATOON

The Saskatoon Health Region has unveiled its new computerized tomography (CT) scanner, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that will expand the region's diagnostic imaging capacity.

Health Minister John Nilson joined health region officials and community supporters today for the official opening at St. Paul's Hospital.

"This new scanner is one of eight purchased in the last two years for Saskatchewan's provincial and regional hospitals, and supports Saskatoon's role as a vital centre for diagnostic imaging," Nilson said. "It will help us continue our progress in reducing patients' waits for CT scans, and building our capacity to provide this important service."

The 40-slice scanner was purchased using approximately $1.1 million of the $66 million in federal health funding provided to Saskatchewan in 2004. It replaces a single slice CT scanner that had been in use since 1989.

"This new 40-slice CT scan technology will allow the Medical Imaging Department at St.Paul's Hospital to provide an increased CT scan volume, as well as the ability to perform more complex examinations," Saskatoon Health Region Medical Imaging Services general manager Corey Miller said. "This new multi-slice CT scan technology will allow our Health Region to offer enhanced image quality, a broader range of examinations and advanced processing capabilities; as well as help to recruit and retain top quality physicians, benefiting the overall medical care within our community."

In 2004-05, more than 90,000 CT scans were done province-wide, an increase of about nine per cent over the previous year. In 2005-06, capacity is projected to reach well over 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

Leanne Nyirfa Corporate and Public Affairs Adviser Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386