Premier Pat Binns advised today that new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services and enhanced cancer treatment services will be made available in the province next year at a cost of more than $10 million.
"The availability of these new services will provide all Islanders with access to quality diagnostic and cancer treatment services at home in Prince Edward Island. In addition, it will assist us in our efforts to recruit and retain physicians and other health professionals," said the premier. "We are working toward implementation of the new services in the fall of 2002."
Installation of the new equipment will require the addition of a 15,000 square foot expansion to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, as well as major renovations to the provincial cancer treatment centre and diagnostic imaging department. Preliminary cost estimates include $4.5 million for the construction of new facilities, $3.8 million for the linear accelerator, and $2.6 million for the MRI unit.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised that Cabinet's approval this week of the functional plan for the project represents a major milestone in the planning process. "With the completion of the functional plan, we now know how the services will be delivered and what the requirements will be. The next phase of the planning process will include architectural design approval, the purchase of equipment, tendering, construction, commissioning, and recruitment," said the minister. Project management will be provided by the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
Minister Ballem advised that additional annual costs to operate the new services are expected to be about $2.5 million, most of which will go toward salaries for the more than 20 new full-time equivalent positions that will be created. "We are well prepared to meet the recruitment challenge with time on our side to do advance planning, a modern new facility and equipment coming online, and the opportunity for new staff to participate in planning the new service. Without doubt, the availability of these new services will have a very positive impact on our ability to recruit and retain health professionals."
Premier Binns added that the project provides an excellent opportunity to implement services now that will meet the expected needs of an older population. "The project will also provide Islanders with access to a full cancer treatment centre here at home and increased access to high standards of medical diagnosis, while reducing referrals out-of-province for MRI scans by 90 percent and cancer treatment by 60 percent," said the premier.
BACKGROUNDER
MRI AND LINEAR ACCELERATOR SERVICES
In September 1997, government announced its commitment to establish enhanced radiation therapy services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. These services included a cobalt unit, simulator, and treatment planning system as the initial phase of a longer-term plan to include a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator unit will enhance curative oncology treatment services at the QEH. The equipment uses high energy radiation to localize treatment on a tumor.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides high resolution images of any area of the body. It is used to identify tumors, strokes, degenerative diseases, inflammation, infection and other abnormalities. The MRI allows for more non-invasive, earlier diagnosis of illness. Regarded as one of the most accurate diagnostic tools available, the MRI has the exclusive capability to detect many types of cancer and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. It is anticipated that orthopaedics, neurology, surgery, and oncology will be the largest users of MRI technology.
In calendar year 2000, approximately 682 Prince Edward Island patients received MRI scans.
An estimated 690 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in PEI in 2000.
The number of patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital receiving intravenous chemotherapy increased 50 percent between 1995 and 1999.
The expanded PEI Cancer Treatment Centre will integrate medical and radiation oncology under one medical and administrative structure and department, becoming a fully functioning Cancer Treatment Centre which provides comprehensive quality care closer to home with equal access by all Islanders.
New patient caseloads are expected to include patients with cancer of the cervix, esophagus, head and neck, rectum and lung.