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Kelsey Trail to get CT scanner

Mar 6, 2011 | 7:28 AM

Melfort will be the site for the Kelsey Trail Health Region’s first CT services.

“We were very excited and pleased by the announcement,” said Kevin Phillips, Mayor of Melfort.
A total of $500,000 for the renovation and installation of the equipment came as part of the Ministry of Health’s $133 million commitment to health care.

Health Region CEO, Glen Kozak, said they only started working on the application proposal for the machine about six weeks ago.

“We’re a little surprised the announcement came so soon, but we’re very happy about it,” he said.

The equipment will benefit people, especially seniors who had to take the bus to a larger centre, like Saskatoon, Prince Albert or Yorkton for their scan. Frequently they would not make the bus back and be stuck staying in the city overnight, said Philips.

“It’s going to be less expense for the residents of Kelsey trail. We’ll have the service right in the region, we’re hoping for easier access. Sometimes (wait times) can be reduced with our own CT scanner in Kelsey Trail,” Kozak said.

It’s not only patients that will see a benefit from the addition of the CT services.

“It’s a plus for our physicians, they supported it fully and feel it’s a valuable tool they can use in their diagnosis,” Kozak said.

The equipment is going to Melfort because that is the diagnostic centre for the region, Phillips said.

He added that Tisdale and Niapwin supported the application and that he is “looking forward to a whole new era of co-operation” within the northeast region.

“It’s a big, big thing for the entire Kelsey Trail Health Region,” he said.

Doug Dahl, communications officer for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, said they don’t know how much of an impact this will have on wait times in Prince Albert.

“We don’t know if it’s something that will be noticeable at this time,” he said.

“We have to work with all of the regions around to ensure people can get into a CT when needed and as close to home as possible.”

It will likely take a couple of years before everything is in place.

The first step is renovating the building, then installation of the equipment and training of staff.

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