January 10, 2006

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre will be upgraded to provide more complex and efficient scans that will see more than
2,500 scans per year added to the system, Health Minister Tim Sale announced today.

In the past 12 months, 27,232 MRIs were performed in the province, up from 6,402 in 1998-99. Over 38,000 scans will be performed in 2006-07.

"The Health Sciences Centre is the trauma and neurological centre for the province," said Sale. "Having this MRI updated will allow the centre to provide better service to Manitobans in need of diagnostic services and allow us to reduce wait times for MRI procedures."

Magnetic resonance imaging produces detailed pictures of internal human anatomy and provides high-quality test results safely and quickly.

The upgrade will allow faster processing and improved images with more modern sequencing techniques that will lead to quicker and better diagnoses. In addition to the machine upgrade, scheduling will be reorganized to make more efficient use of the machine.

"This upgrade will allow us to increase the throughput on this magnet by up to
20 per cent," said Dr. Blake McCarty, director of diagnostic imaging for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. "Adding more than 2,500 scans per year will mean more patients can be treated faster and we expect this increased volume will positively impact the wait-list."

Reducing wait times and providing patients better access to the care they need is an important priority for Manitoba, said the minister.

In October, the province announced $25.5 million for more diagnostic testing as a part of the $155 million Manitoba Wait Time Reduction Strategy. That plan includes:

• more diagnostic testing,

• more surgeries,

• more health professionals,

• system innovation and better wait-list management, and

• prevention and health promotion.

"The Health Sciences Centre and numerous hospitals throughout the province provide access to much-needed diagnostic tests for tens of thousands of Manitobans every year," said Sale. "Our mission in health care is to provide better care sooner, and the upgrade of this MRI is another key part of our plan to improve diagnostic wait times."

The capital for the $1.2-million initiative will be funded through the Diagnostic Medical Equipment Fund. Operating funding will be provided out of the Manitoba Wait Time Reduction Fund.

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