CT SCANNER OPENS IN LLOYDMINSTER

Released on March 23, 2006

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

Representatives of the Saskatchewan and Alberta governments were joined by health region officials and community leaders today at the official opening of the Husky Energy CT Suite at Lloydminster Hospital. The hospital is owned and operated by Prairie North Health Region on the Saskatchewan side of the border.

"Lloydminster's new scanner will address a high priority area by providing residents with convenient and stable CT service," Saskatchewan Health Minister Len Taylor said. "This project is a wonderful example of how co-operation between governments, health regions and community partners can help to address a growing need. It will make an immediate, positive difference in the lives of patients and their families."

"The CT scan suite is the result of cooperation between our two provincial governments, health regions, and the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation," Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Iris Evans said. "The residents of Lloydminster and area will now enjoy the benefits of this valuable diagnostic imaging service."

"This new CT scan service is a very exciting project for Lloydminster," Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Dr. Lyle Oberg said. "The Alberta Government's $1.9 million investment will help ensure Lloydminster and area patients have access to up-to-date diagnostic imaging technologies in their own communities."

Saskatchewan initiated the project, committing $670,000 in federal health funding provided to the province in 2004. Through East Central Health (ECH), the Government of Alberta is providing $1.5 million, plus a further $370,000 from the Health Sustainability Initiative Grant toward the cost of the CT scanner equipment and renovations required to install the scanner. In addition, ECH has agreed to share annual operating costs with Prairie North Health Region.

The initiative was also supported by the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation's Health First Campaign and a $335,000 contribution from Husky Energy. In recognition of that donation, the suite is named the Husky Energy CT Suite.

"Husky Energy cares about Lloydminster and the people who live and work here. We are pleased to be able to give back to the community and help make possible the acquisition of this CT scan facility," Husky's President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. John C. S. Lau said.

Prairie North Regional Health Authority Chairperson Bonnie O'Grady said the region is pleased to be able to address the rising demand for diagnostic imaging services. "We now have the staff, the facility, and the financial support in place to address this high priority," O'Grady said. "This service will have a very positive effect, helping make it easier for Lloydminster Hospital to attract and keep specialists, and providing our patients with accessible, quality diagnostic imaging services."

"The provision of CT services has been an ongoing priority for East Central Health so we are very pleased to have this CT up and running," ECH Board Chair Ed Andersen said . "This new CT and a second opening in Camrose later this year will greatly improve access to this basic diagnostic service for residents of our region."

CT scans enable physicians to take cross-sectional images of bones, muscles and organs that are more accurate than a general X-ray. The new scanner will be able to conduct about 5,000 scans per year. In 2004-05, more than 90,000 CT scans were done in Saskatchewan, an increase of about nine per cent over the previous year. Capacity is expected to reach about 103,000 scans in 2005-06.

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For More Information, Contact:

Linda Lewis Prairie North Health Region North Battleford, SK Phone: (306) 446-6625	Jim Durham East Central Health Camrose, AB Phone: (780) 608-8804
Jocelyn Argue Saskatchewan Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083	Carole Stevenson-Roy Alberta Health and Wellness Phone: (780) 427-7164