Released on November 2, 2016
Patients and medical teams in west central Saskatchewan will have access to faster, safer medical imaging services once the aging computed tomography (CT) scanners at Battlefords Union Hospital and Lloydminster Hospital are replaced.The Saskatchewan government is providing $1.2 million, half the estimated cost for the purchase of the two scanners. Provincial funding will be matched by support from local communities, through the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation and Lloydminster Region Health Foundation.
“Investments like this improve patient access to specialized medical imaging services at hospitals across Saskatchewan,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “We are putting patients first by providing enhanced care and safer equipment while helping reduce wait times.”
The replacement scanners will provide a major improvement in the speed and quality of diagnostic images, substantially reducing each patient’s radiation exposure. Prairie North Health Region provides CT services to more than 10,000 patients each year. Offering specialized services within the health region reduces the need for patients to travel to other centres.
“CT services are an essential element of our health region’s medical imaging program,” Prairie North Chief Executive Officer David Fan said. “Sustaining and upgrading these services with the purchase and installation of new, up-to-date equipment and technology is vital for our patients and our health care providers. We are grateful for the provincial funding and for our local health foundation partners, who eagerly committed to raising the necessary dollars to enhance services for their communities.”
In The Battlefords, local and area support of a May 2016 radiothon sponsored and hosted by local stations in the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group raised most of the dollars toward the foundation’s campaign goal.
“The CT campaign radiothon was an exciting venture and we were honoured to be a part of it,” Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation Board Chair Michael Zaychokowsky said. “Through the generosity and support of The Battlefords and surrounding communities, we successfully accomplished our goal of raising $600,000 toward the purchase of the new CT scanner.”
Preparations for a campaign in the Lloydminster area are underway.
“Lloydminster Region Health Foundation is pleased to partner with Prairie North Regional Health Authority and the Government of Saskatchewan to provide our community with a new CT scanner for Lloydminster Hospital,” Lloydminster Region Health Foundation Chief Executive Officer Wendy Plandowski said. “As the current scanner nears the end of its life cycle, we are proud to commit, on behalf of our donors, to raise $600,000 toward bringing this innovative and essential equipment to Lloydminster.”
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594
Linda Lewis
Prairie North Health Region
North Battleford
Phone: 306-446-6625
Email: Linda.Lewis@pnrha.ca