The Saskatchewan government says it has extended an agreement that will send patients to Calgary for breast cancer diagnostic testing. The agreement, first established in November 2023, has now been extended until March of 2026. The province says it is a temporary measure to, “accelerate urgent diagnostic procedures until these services are fully stabilized in the province.” “The implementation of the out-of-province program has significantly reduced wait times for urgent breast biopsies from November 2023 to date, bringing them in line with the clinically recommended target of three weeks or less,” the province said in a news release. According to the release, patients who are waiting for urgent diagnostic testing will be triaged by health care providers who will then contact them for screening to determine how interested they are in traveling out of province for testing. “Patients identified as eligible and willing to travel to Calgary will receive diagnostic services based on their urgency, as determined by clinical evaluation. Those requiring urgent care will receive priority access, either within Saskatchewan or at the Calgary facility, depending on availability,” the province said in the release. Construction of a new Breast Health Centre in Regina is underway, with a completion date initially set for early 2025. As of Jan. 17, approximately 472 patients have had their diagnostic procedures done in Calgary. The province said that those who travel to Calgary for diagnostic testing along with one support person will be reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses up to $1,500. “All medical expenses related to the diagnostic procedures will be fully covered by the Ministry of Health,” the ministry said in the release. Along with the Breast Health Centre in Regina, the province says a number of other initiatives to enhance care are either underway or in the planning stages.
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