New Technology to Reduce Waits, Improve Access

Nova Scotians and other Atlantic Canadians will have shorter waits and access to better services closer to home as a result of the provincial government's investment in a powerful new diagnostic tool for cancer, cardiac, and neurological diseases.

Premier John Hamm and Health Minister Angus MacIsaac announced the province's $3-million investment in the $5.5-million positron emission tomography (PET) program today, June 16.

"Today we're pleased to stand with our partners to celebrate improved care and easier access for Nova Scotians," said Premier Hamm. "The PET Program is important to Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada because it will lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses and it will attract more money for research. That means improved treatment options, faster treatment, and faster recovery time for patients."

The technology will improve accuracy in diagnosis which, in turn, will result in improved surgical and radiation planning. The PET scan also incorporates a CT machine.

"Dealing with an illness can be a frightening, confusing time for families. Having to leave your loved ones to seek treatment outside Nova Scotia makes the whole experience that much more difficult. Today's announcement will help ease that burden. Today we begin the steps towards building this service in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacIsaac.

"PET is clearly a demonstration of what can happen when the passion of a shared vision is brought together," said Dr. Andrew Ross, project leader for PET, and a member of the division of nuclear medicine, QEII Capital District Health Authority. "PET will allow our region to continue to produce excellence in medical research, and we will continue to attract the specialists and the funding necessary to compete with other world-class research centres."

The diagnostic imaging doctors and Aliant each contributed $500,000 to the project. The QEII Foundation contributed $1.5 million, and the provincial government $3 million.

The scanner will be purchased this year, and should be installed and operational within two years.