A new Breast Health Centre will open in Regina on April 23.
The Saskatchewan government said it would provide more timely and coordinated care for Saskatchewan women.
The provincial government says the new facility will offer diagnostic imaging, biopsies, specialist consultations, and on-site supports, all in one facility.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill calls the centre a “significant investment” in women’s health, emphasizing the wide range of services that will be provided in the new streamlined health centre.
Patients will be able to move from initial referrals by family physicians to assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.
The government has invested $8.5 million in the project, including funds for building renovations, diagnostic equipment, and staffing.
Officials say this co-location model will reduce the burden on women during what can be a frightening time.
Breast cancer survivor and Inpower Committee Member Briana Bolduc believes having multiple services in one place will help lessen stress.
“Anything that makes the cancer journey a bit more manageable is a win,” said Bolduc.
Derek Miller, Chief Operating Officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, praised the new centre for creating a supportive and accessible environment.
Miller says the facility will bring doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers together to deliver higher quality care.
However, the Sask NDP is sharply criticizing the government’s approach.
They allege the Sask Party has broken an election promise by relocating staff from the Pasqua Hospital’s Breast Assessment Centre to the new building, rather than hiring new healthcare workers.
In leaked emails, Pasqua employees seek clarification on their transfers, leading some to fear the old centre could be closed.
“They said they would bring in out-of-province recruits, but it’s clear they’ve simply moved people around,” said Sask NDP Shadow Minister for the Status of Women Brittney Senger.
“This won’t fix the real problem, which is short-staffing in our healthcare system.”
Sask NDP Health Shadow Minister Vicki Mowat adds that the province is still struggling to keep nurses and technologists, citing ongoing pay issues and staffing shortages.
Mowat says the government’s focus on “flashy headlines” comes at the expense of genuine improvements to women’s health.
Despite the controversy, the Saskatchewan government insists the new Regina Breast Health Centre will bolster patient care and reduce wait times, setting a benchmark for future breast health initiatives across the province.
