Temporary unit to keep CT services running during upgrade
Patients who need CT imaging at Saskatoon City Hospital will not face a service interruption while the hospital replaces its existing CT scanner. The Saskatchewan Health Authority says a temporary mobile CT unit will be installed in the visitor parking lot northwest of the hospital on July 28, and is expected to begin serving patients in mid‑August.
The mobile unit will remain on site for approximately five months while the hospital's old scanner is removed and a new Siemens SOMATOM Force CT scanner is installed, tested and commissioned. The replacement is being supported by a $2.9‑million allocation from the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation and its donor community.
"Maintaining uninterrupted access to diagnostic imaging services for patients is our priority throughout this project," said Kevin Hare, vice‑president, Provincial Clinical and Support Services with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The SHA says the mobile unit will ensure patients continue to receive timely diagnostic imaging while the new scanner is fitted. Once the new scanner is operational and the commissioning process is complete, the temporary unit will be removed and returned for use elsewhere.
What the upgrade means for patients and clinicians
The replacement scanner is expected to provide faster, higher‑quality imaging, broaden imaging capabilities and strengthen diagnostic capacity for patients in Saskatoon and neighbouring communities. The SHA highlighted the role of CT imaging in diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring across a wide range of health conditions.
For hospital staff the plan limits disruption to workflows that depend on CT access. With the mobile unit on site, patients with urgent imaging needs, inpatients and scheduled outpatients should continue to receive services on a routine timetable, the SHA said.
- Installation date: Mobile unit installed July 28 in visitor parking lot northwest of the hospital.
- Service start: Expected mid‑August.
- Duration on site: About five months while new scanner is installed and commissioned.
- Funding: $2.9 million from the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation and donors.
Timeline at a glance
| Event | Date / timing |
|---|---|
| Mobile unit installed in visitor parking lot | July 28 |
| Mobile CT begins serving patients | Mid‑August (expected) |
| Mobile unit remains on site | Approximately five months |
The SHA says there is no planned interruption to CT imaging services during the replacement project. The new Siemens SOMATOM Force CT scanner will replace the hospital’s existing equipment and is intended to support faster diagnoses and treatment decisions for years to come.
Local health-care foundations and donor support have been central to the project. The hospital foundation’s $2.9‑million allocation underscores how community fundraising continues to shape the capabilities of Saskatoon’s health facilities.
Saskatoon City Hospital serves a broad catchment across the city and surrounding region. Ensuring continuity of diagnostic services during equipment upgrades is particularly important in centres where alternative imaging capacity is limited or distant.
As the installation progresses, patients and referring clinicians will be notified about any changes to booking arrangements or temporary access points for imaging services. The SHA has emphasised the temporary unit is a short‑term measure to maintain service while the advanced scanner is brought online.
The arrival of the mobile unit marks the next step in the hospital’s plan to modernize its imaging equipment and expand diagnostic capacity in Saskatoon.
