New CT scanners are in the works for both Lloydminster and North Battleford.
The Saskatchewan government announced on Wednesday it is providing $1.2 million, half the estimate cost, for the purchase of two new computed tomography (CT) scanners.
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The remaining funds will be matched by community foundations.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Jim Reiter said the investment will help improve access while reducing wait times.
“Investments like this improve patient access to specialized medical imaging services at hospitals across Saskatchewan,” Reiter said in a statement.
“We are putting patients first by providing enhanced care and safer equipment while helping reduce wait times.”
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Prairie North Health Region, which administers both Lloydminster Hospital and Battlefords Union Hospital, currently handles over 10,000 CT scans yearly.
David Fan, the region’s CEO, said the upgrade is vital to both patients and health care providers.
“CT services are an essential element of our health region’s medical imaging program,” 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.”
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Most of the local funds for the CT scanner in North Battleford were raised earlier this year during a radiothon for the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation.
Officials with the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation said plans are underway to raise the $600,000 needed for its share of the purchase of the CT scanner.