By paNOW Staff

Premier considers private MRI clinics to decrease wait times

Oct 16, 2014 | 5:46 PM

Premier Brad Wall is floating the idea of allowing access to private MRI clinics in Saskatchewan to reduce wait times for diagnostic procedures.

On John Gormley Live Thursday, Wall said it’s something that deserves “serious consideration.”

“I will not rule it out. When it comes to a choice between prompt diagnostics, prompt surgery … and ideology, the people of this province will choose the diagnostics and the surgery,” Wall said.

Wall was responding to a question from a caller on the show who said the three-month wait list for an MRI scan through the public system, could have been avoided had he been allowed to pay for the procedure at a private clinic in Regina.

“We allow more private operators on the surgery side. That’s why we’ve seen wait times come down for surgeries … can it work on the diagnostic side? These are the questions we’re asking now and I think this is something that deserves consideration,” Wall said.

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The government currently utilizes the private sector for some surgeries, but Wall said the province has built in a barrier that prevents private providers from robbing front line staff from the public system.

“If we can do that with diagnostics, with MRIs does it make sense that the wait list is going to shrink because those who want to pay will come off 
that public wait list. And thereby shortening the wait list for all, whether they wish to pay or not.”

The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) recently singed a contract with a private clinic to handle some its MRI scans. 

Starting later this month, Mayfair Diagnostics will provide 5,500 scans per year for three years.

Opening up access to private MRI clinics will likely be discussed when the new session of the legislature begins next week. 

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