There is no one regular process to follow when you're looking for something like a CT scanner, so when an Estevan committee met with Health Minister Dustin Duncan a couple of weeks ago, they made an interesting proposal that Duncan said, "wasn't what I was expecting."
That means the minister and his staff and analysts need to take some time to contemplate what arrived at their doorstep before making a final decision. But the idea of getting CT scanning equipment at St. Joseph's Hospital appears to finally be gaining some momentum.
"The proposal came in a bit different from what we expected. Of course there really is no normal process when requesting a CT scanner," said Duncan.
Some health regions or health-care centres expect the ministry to pick up the cost of purchase and operation, or as in the local case, it might be a local foundation willing to front the capital costs that could amount to $1.2 million or more.
The fact that St. Joe's is not a designated regional hospital will not work against the local application.
"What we factor is how are hospitals meeting their benchmarks and patient volumes in the region and to that particular health centre and if they had a scanner, how it might help them reach another benchmark," said Duncan.
The local committee that met with Duncan included St. Joe's executive director Greg Hoffort, Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles, Mayor Roy Ludwig, St. Joe's board chairman Don Kindopp and former mayor Gary St. Onge who is now a member of the Sun Country Health Region's board of directors, plus other health care employees.
"We told him we'll find the $1.2 million," said Hoffort, referring to the local community and the surrounding rural municipalities. Operations and maintenance costs would then be the only requirement having to be met by the local health region.
"It was a very cordial meeting. We put our case forward and questions were asked and answered," Hoffort said.
Duncan confirmed that the meeting included a good discussion regarding options and potential.
"We received the proposal and we're taking a close look at it. Because it was different, I think we need to pause and consider it very carefully and that's my commitment so far ... a good, hard look," Duncan said. "How does it work in our provincial capital plan? That's a question we have to ask ourselves."
The health minister said the upcoming provincial budget in March will bear information that might help them reach their decision. There are fairly large commitments already out there such as the construction of a new hospital in Moose Jaw and a certain commitment to replace the aging North Battleford Hospital. Thankfully the $200 million for the children's hospital in Saskatoon was included in a previous budget and funds are in place for that.
"The really big picture, though, is providing support for all health regions and participating in physician recruitments. With health taking up almost half the budget, we must ensure that it is in line with provincial growth but also realizing that annual increases of seven to 10 per cent are just not sustainable," Duncan added. "So my wish list in this budget would include adequate increases for health regions while making sure they're doing their part to keep costs in line and providing the necessary services."
Based on the Estevan and area proposal, Duncan said the general trend of thought appeared to be that if approval was gained, then there would be a staged approach to getting the CT equipment up and operational beginning with an ambitious fundraising project launched through the local health foundation. This would be followed by the actual purchase, delivery, training schedule and then a natural ramp-up of service once everyone got comfortable with the service. All that could happen between 2013 and 2014 ... if approval is granted.
"I give the committee full credit. They came with a fulsome presentation and in fairness to them, if it wasn't going to be a positive response, we'd be saying no sooner, rather than later," Duncan said in conclusion.
In the meantime, the health minister said he would welcome any follow-up information and discussion regarding a CT scanner for St. Joseph's and the southeast area of the province.
