Sask sending some patients to Calgary for DI

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan Health Authority are extending an initiative aimed at improving breast health services by allowing patients to receive diagnostic procedures at a medical facility in Calgary.

Launched in November 2023, the program has been extended to March 2026 as a temporary measure to accelerate urgent diagnostic procedures until services are fully stabilized in the province.

The initiative has significantly reduced wait times for urgent breast biopsies, bringing them in line with the clinically recommended target of three weeks or less.

“We are committed to ensuring Saskatchewan residents have access to safe, high-quality and timely breast healthcare services as we advance several measures to expand in-province capacity, implement new technologies and complete construction on the new Breast Health Centre in Regina,” health minister Jeremy Cockrill (pictured) said.

“We appreciate the dedication from our healthcare teams to accelerate urgent diagnostic breast cancer procedures and treatments following a diagnosis.”

Saskatchewan patients waiting for urgent diagnostic breast procedures, such as biopsies, will be triaged by healthcare providers, who will contact them to determine their interest in participating in the program.

Eligible patients willing to travel to Calgary will receive diagnostic services based on their urgency, as determined by clinical evaluation. Those requiring urgent care will receive priority access, either within Saskatchewan or at the Calgary facility, depending on availability.

“The Out-of-Province Breast Assessment Program helps provide Saskatchewan residents at risk of breast cancer with timely access to urgent diagnostic services,” Saskatchewan Health Authority medical imaging executive director Richard Dagenais said. “By extending this initiative, we can continue to address the immediate needs of patients while actively building capacity within the province to deliver high-quality breast health services closer to home.”

To support patients accessing out-of-province services, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health will reimburse travel and accommodation expenses for the patient and one support person, up to a maximum of $1,500. All medical expenses related to the diagnostic procedures will be fully covered by the Ministry of Health.

As of Jan. 17, 2025, approximately 472 patients have had diagnostic procedures completed in Calgary.

Several initiatives are underway or in planning stages to enhance care and ensure timely access to services, including:

• Construction of a new Breast Health Centre in Regina, which will offer diagnostic imaging, consultations with specialists and surgeons, patient education, support, navigation and on-site post-treatment care, including therapies and rehabilitation.
• A phased expansion of breast screening eligibility for those aged 40 to 49, beginning in January 2025.
• Increased capacity in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, providing timely access to diagnostic procedures for long waiting and urgent patients from Regina and southern Saskatchewan, benefiting more than 150 patients since November 2023.
• Centralized booking for breast cancer screening to streamline care and improve access.
• Implementation of 3D breast imaging (tomosynthesis) to improve cancer detection, reduce additional imaging needs and decrease false positive and false negative results.
• Introduction of new breast tumour localization “seed” technology to minimize delays, cancellations and patient discomfort.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health to train and recruit medical radiation technologists, sonographers and radiologists specializing in breast imaging, including two local radiologists in Regina who recently completed breast radiology fellowships.

For more information about the out-of-province breast cancer diagnostic initiative, visit saskatchewan.ca/medical-imaging.

Source: West Central Online