Local officials were given a heads up a week ago from Health Minister Dustin Duncan that any reference to a CT scanner for St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan may not be mentioned in next month's provincial budget.
There are a couple of reasons for that.
First, since the scanner's purchasing, installation, training and operating costs would be borne by the community, it wouldn't need to be since costs to the government would be negligible.
The second reason, is that the unique proposal from the Energy City, in spite of all the positive aspects, still doesn't get a pass. Because it's unique, it seems the provincial policy regarding imaging and diagnostic services outside Regina and Saskatoon, now needs to be reworked.
To his credit, Duncan issued a statement to The Mercury this past week, promising a policy and hopefully a decision by late spring.
What is disconcerting is the fact that the ministry has been dithering on this proposal for well over a year. In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been misspent sending patients to and from southeast Saskatchewan towns and cities to Regina for simple medical imaging procedures. Twenty-two to 25 regional physicians are placed at a disadvantage, unable to practice at a level that is acceptable to them and their clients.
We appreciate the fact that Duncan has a huge portfolio. His concerns stretch well beyond one CT scanner. He has major challenges and homework to do on such matters as an evolving children's hospital being built within an expansion in Saskatoon and a new hospital in North Battleford with various twists attached to that too. Those are just two that probably absorb a good percentage of his working day.
So we have to wonder out loud whether Randy Weekes, the declared Minister for Rural and Remote Health, shouldn't be the one taking over this CT file and doing the shouting on behalf of the government. Where is he and what is his stance on the one-year delay in making a decision on a CT scanner in this so-called "rural" outpost?
Surely a provincial policy regarding imaging and diagnostic services outside the major centres, shouldn't take this much time to reach a start point. Let's hear what the policy is from Weekes' crew if Duncan's team can't come up with one.
We are cognizant of the fact the Estevan proposal may lead to all kinds of political backlash, but that's the nature of the beast. Health in Saskatchewan is nothing if not all about politics. Both men are pretty secure in their ridings. At least we know Duncan is. His margin of approval by voters in Weyburn-Big Muddy is huge. We don't think his personal cache among his riding's electorate would suffer and as far as provincial status is concerned, the Saskatchewan Party is all about charisma right now. So, we suggest that a little political gamemanship might be in order if the cause is good and the proposal for a CT scanner, is a good one that deserves more than what it has received so far.
If a cost-effective CT scanner proposal like the one currently on the minister's desk is turned down, then we'd hate to think what might happen to another soon-to-take-flight proposal for a new Estevan Regional Nursing Home.
Logistically, socially, financially and politically, a CT scanner in Estevan to serve over 60,000 potential customers just makes sense and cries out for action. Policy or no policy.
