MRI wait times in Saskatchewan currently average 120 days, with officials at St. Joseph's Hospital hoping that advances for their project will bring that down for Estevan residents.
A new MRI machine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan is expected to reduce wait times for southeast residents, leading to faster diagnoses and improved outcomes. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of next year, solidifying Estevan’s role as a regional healthcare hub. With funding reaching $4.2 million, the project can now begin its next steps.
Estevan was not initially prioritized for this equipment, as the most recent MRI installations in Saskatchewan have been donor-driven, explained St. Joseph’s Hospital Executive Director Candace Kopec during a recent Coffee Talk event. Adding an MRI to the hospital is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare in rural areas, building on Estevan’s previous healthcare projects, including the installation of a CT scanner.
Kopec discussed the timeline, noting that full funding does not need to be raised upfront. The hospital is currently in the request for proposal (RFP) process to select a supplier. Once ordered, the MRI unit is expected to take 16 to 20 weeks to arrive, following a site assessment.
“So, between the ambulance bay and the boiler room, there’s a little green space. When you walk into where the lab is, the lab is that way. Diagnostic imaging is there, so it would be able to use the same waiting room, and it’s right behind that area,” Kopec said.
Lori Gervais, Executive Director of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, explained the next steps.
“We’re about to order the machine itself. They’ve narrowed it down to one of four companies. Once that’s done, we’ll need to put some money down, and then a site assessment will be conducted to confirm where it can be installed,” Gervais said. “An MRI is a huge magnet, and there are factors to consider, like power, transformers, and magnetic fields.”
Kopec emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), saying patients should not notice any service changes despite operational differences. MRI hours will likely mirror those of the CT scanner, which operates Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with on-call service for emergencies.
Estevan’s CT scanner is already used by patients from other areas, and the hospital works to accommodate out-of-town referrals.
Although baseline staffing levels haven’t been established, two medical radiology technologists (MRTs) have already expressed interest in undergoing additional training to operate the MRI. A job posting for the position has also been made.
“We’re not at the point of discussing baseline staffing, but we’ve spoken to staff about their willingness to pursue the additional training. There’s a lot of interest,” Kopec said. “We’ve had two MRTs come forward, and we’ve posted a position. We don’t have funding for that yet, but we’re in a good financial spot.”
Estevan’s healthcare commitment has been bolstered by community involvement. Local youth groups, including 4-H members, have been actively fundraising, reflecting the community’s passion for improving local healthcare.
