Province Announces $15.8 Million in New Health Equipment

Women in Nova Scotia will get quicker and more precise breast screening and diagnostic tests as a result of three new mammography units being purchased for the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program. Health Minister Angus MacIsaac announced these and other new equipment purchases from the $15 million federal medical equipment fund.

An investment of $1.2 million will replace aging mammography equipment in St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish, the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, and Cape Breton District Health Authority. The province will work with the district health authorities to ensure the equipment is consistent with other models being used within the provincial breast screening program.

"The purchase of this new mammography unit for Antigonish, in particular, means this centre can join the provincial breast screening program, but more importantly, it means providing earlier detection for the women of this area," said Mr. MacIsaac. "These new units are an example of how we are improving health care in communities across the province."

Judy Caines, executive director, Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program said that high quality film screen mammography is the most sensitive method to detect early breast cancer. "Women can only hope to survive this disease through early detection and appropriate treatment, and this new equipment will go a long way to helping women."

The Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program insists on quality mammography, reported by radiologists who are experienced and skilled in the field of mammography. Women are sent their own screening reports and those with abnormal test results are helped through the diagnostic process in a timely manner.

"The new unit with a digital spot film device is replacing an outdated machine," said Dr. Michael Silver, a radiologist at St. Martha's Regional Hospital. "It provides better quality images and more detailed information, which helps radiologists make more accurate diagnosis."

Other equipment purchases include cardiovascular, X-ray, and surgical equipment, a CT scanner, and other technology that supports care at the bedside.

An additional $1.5 million is being used to expand the network that stores in memory, and electronically transfers X-rays, CT scans, and MRI images among hospitals across the region. The network is called Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS).

"For a second year, we are investing these federal dollars in this technology which allows our health providers to consult with doctors and other specialists in the region, to make faster diagnoses and begin treatments more quickly," said Mr. MacIsaac.

About $1 million will be distributed across the province for equipment, including patient lifts and other equipment that assist nurses and others who work with patients. The long-term care sector will receive $625,000 and the remaining dollars will be distributed across the province's nine district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre.

As well, $128,000 will be invested in training more Nova Scotians to operate the additional medical equipment, through the medical laboratory technology training in New Brunswick.

The Capital District Health Authority will receive a total of $5.6 million. The funding will be used to pay for equipment that was purchased earlier this year to reduce wait times for orthopaedic surgeries. It will also be used to purchase instruments to replace discarded devices, and for a variety of other surgical equipment needed throughout the district.

The IWK Health Centre will receive more than $1.3 million to purchase a multi-slice CT scanner. This is considered a new generation of CT scanners that can capture multiple slices of image data simultaneously, increasing diagnostic speed and accuracy and enabling new applications for diagnosis.

Other equipment being purchased includes a replacement X-ray unit for the Guysborough Memorial Hospital, a sterilization unit for St. Martha's Regional Hospital, a digital fluoroscopy unit for the South Shore Regional Hospital, and a replacement ultrasound machine and upgrading for cardiac machinery for the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Colchester Regional Hospital will purchase equipment to be used by its endoscopy services group. Additional radiology equipment will be purchased for the Valley Regional Hospital, All Saints Springhill Hospital, Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, and the Glace Bay Hospital. The Cape Breton Regional Hospital will receive a new, state-of-the-art patient monitoring system for the intensive care, coronary care and telemetry units.

In February 2003, the First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal included a commitment from the federal government to provide Nova Scotia with funding for diagnostic medical equipment. This year, Nova Scotia received $15 million as part of that fund.