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By Justin Goulet

Budget 2021

$33-million commitment meant to lower wait times for MRI and CT scans in Alberta

Mar 26, 2021 | 10:55 AM

The province continues to detail funding for health care include in Budget 2021.

Premier Jason Kenney says a one-time commitment of $33 million should drive down wait times for Albertans needing non-emergency CT scans and MRIs in public hospitals, as well as “spark innovation” to provide the best patient care.

This is part of the province and Alberta Health Services (AHS) plan to reduce wait times and make sure than by 2023, all Albertans have their CT scans and MRIs done within appropriate wait times recommended by medical experts.

The added $33 million will boost the $1 billion Alberta spends every year on diagnostic imaging. This total spending includes ultrasounds, X-rays and mammography, as well as MRIs and CT scans for Albertans.

“Albertans need better results from our health-care system, including from MRIs and CT scans that can diagnose their health condition and set them on the path to recovery,” Premier Kenney said.

“This commitment is part of Alberta’s historic investment in health care. We will ensure that all health dollars are spent wisely to support patients and families.”

Thus far, AHS and its contracted radiologists’ focused work on the action plan has meant less people are waiting for CT and MRI scans now compared with March of last year, a trend expected to continue over the next two years.

“AHS understands how important it is for patients to receive timely access to diagnostic testing and quick turnaround of results. We are listening to all concerns and are proactively working to improve this very important service for Albertans,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, the president and CEO of AHS.

Alberta Health and AHS developed the CT and MRI Action Plan to address increasingly long wait times, which peaked in 2019-2020, as well as to decrease costs, better manage demand to reduce unnecessary tests and to make sure those that most need the tests for treatment decisions will get their scans sooner.

The implementation plan uses data to more accurately estimate where demand pressures can occur, so resources can be deployed to respond more effectively.

“Physicians have raised the alarm that long waits put patients at risk – and we couldn’t agree more. Reducing wait times for these medically necessary diagnostic tests is not negotiable,” said Alberta’s Health Minister Tyler Shandro.

“This is why I directed AHS to implement this action plan and to work in partnership with radiologists to find innovative solutions to provide the best patient care with the significant dollars dedicated to this work.”

Alberta Health Services will reinvest any cost savings achieved through the plan to where they are needed most.

The Diagnostic Imaging, CT and MRI Implementation Plan can be viewed in full here.

(Lethbridge News Now)