MRI services expanded for patients in central and northern Saskatchewan

Patients in central and northern Saskatchewan will have more access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services after Mayfair Diagnostics began delivering services in mid-August.

In a release, the Ministry of Health said Mayfair Diagnostics will provide a minimum of 4,500 exams a year in Saskatoon.

Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan Health Authority awarded a contract to Mayfair Diagnostics to deliver publicly funded, community-based MRI services in Saskatoon and to continue providing MRI services in Regina.

“Our government is committed to providing improved, sustainable access to community-based MRI services for Saskatchewan residents with this $2.13-million investment,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said in the release.

“This expansion of MRI services in Saskatoon will significantly reduce wait times for this important diagnostic procedure and will benefit thousands of patients each year.”

In 2019-20, about $27.6 million was spent on MRI services in the province, an increase of 184 per cent from $9.7 million in 2007-08.

In the 2020-21 budget, the Government of Saskatchewan provided an additional $4.4 million for medical imaging equipment replacement.

Mayfair Diagnostics is located on Avenue P near St. Paul’s Hospital.