The provincial government has announced a plan to have women head out of province for mammograms in an effort to reduce diagnostic wait times. On November 29, the Health Ministry announced that patients who meet “urgent” criteria will be offered procedures through an out-of-province provider. Clearpoint Health Network has been contracted to provide a thousand scans to meet the need. This is all while the province states its working on a plan to deliver full diagnostic services at home.  

"We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of Saskatchewan health care teams who continue to provide these important services in the province," Health Minister Everett Hindley said. "That being said, current essential diagnostic testing wait times are unacceptable for Saskatchewan residents and immediate action must be taken." 

In a release, the province noted that it has already taken steps to improve services by extending hours of service with additional volumes being performed in Saskatoon for long-waiting and urgent patients from Regina and southern areas.   

The SHA says it is also exploring options to increase volumes for diagnostic breast mammography in regional hospitals, such as Moose Jaw. Medical radiation technologists and sonographers are in high demand, but the government says it’s doing what it can to facilitate training and recruitment through its Health Human Resources Action Plan. The challenge occurs with the number of seats available for the training.  

The announcement did not sit well with NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck who held a news conference to respond to Hindley’s announcement.  

“This is not anything that the minister should be patting himself on the back for. In fact, he should be apologizing to women in this province for letting it get to this," said Beck. “This is a government that has failed to prioritize health and in particular women's health. We see in this province today, an announcement that women who are needing urgent life-saving mammogram care are having to go to Calgary - having to go out of province - to get the care that they should be able to receive here at home. It's a sad day."   

Hindley insists that the measure is designed to reduce wait times, ultimately in an effort to save lives while other permanent solutions can be evolved at home.  

“I had asked that all options be considered to reduce current waitlists and while work continues on bolstering Saskatchewan resources so we can provide this care at home, our partnership with a private provider in Alberta will offer immediate solutions to patients and staff," said the Health Minister.