Representatives from the City of Estevan, St. Joseph's Hospital and the Sun Country Health Region recently participated in a meeting with Health Minister Dustin Duncan and Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles to discuss the possible acquisition of a CT scan for the hospital.

Mayor Roy Ludwig, hospital CEO and City Councillor Greg Hoffort, hospital board chair Don Kindopp, Sun Country board member and former mayor Gary St. Onge, and others involved with health care in the Estevan area met with Duncan on January 8. Ludwig said that Hoffort had a very good presentation, and Ludwig was pleased with the meeting.

Hoffort said the goal remains securing CT services in Estevan.

"I think it was a great first step," said Hoffort. "We had some very good discussion with him. He's very open to this discussion and some future discussions."

His proposal focused on the need for such a service for southeast residents. There are proximity issues for many in the health region, particularly those in the far southeast corner of the province, who have to drive up to three hours in Regina to obtain a CT scan.

"We indicated the support that we have from the community, from the municipal community, who is steadfast in their support of health care initiatives," said Hoffort. "I think that speaks volumes to the provincial officials when you have that community support."

There are multiple municipalities involved in the effort to secure CT scan services for St. Joseph's, Hoffort said.

The next step would be to give Duncan a proposal, and patiently wait until Duncan offers a response.

Hoffort said the goal is to secure a CT scan for St. Joseph's before the end of the year.