April 26, 2006

The province has invested more than $299,000 to purchase and install an ultrasound machine including monitors and workstations to help reduce wait times for diagnostic testing at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Health Minister Tim Sale announced today.

"Ultrasounds are used to accurately diagnose an illness or condition and are vital tools in providing quality health-care services to Manitobans," said Sale. "This equipment will increase the number of diagnostic scans performed at Bethesda Hospital, providing better care sooner and closer to home for thousands of Manitobans."

The new ultrasound unit will bring the total number of ultrasounds at Bethesda Hospital to two, improving care for patients in the South Eastman Health area and taking pressure off services currently offered outside the region.

"This additional unit will benefit the region by improving the efficiency of the ultrasound technologists and allow the region to perform additional exams," said Monique Vielfaure-Mackenzie, CEO of South Eastman Health/Santé Sud-Est Inc.

Sale noted the investment in new ultrasound equipment builds on Manitoba’s five-point plan to reduce wait times:

• more diagnostic testing,

• more surgeries,

• more health professionals,

• system innovation and better wait-list management, and

• prevention and health promotion.

Since 1999, the Manitoba government has invested more than $12 million to purchase 46 new ultrasound machines located throughout the province.

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