Ultrasound services have been fully restored at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Greg Hoffort, the CEO for the hospital, said the hospital started performing ultrasounds for patients again on Feb. 26, but the first day for the full resumption of the service was March 2. Estevan had been without ultrasound services since the spring of 2017.
Guardian Radiology has signed a two-year contract with the hospital to provide ultrasound services, he said.
“We’re looking for that to be a long-term relationship,” said Hoffort.
Among Guardian’s responsibilities will be renovating an area inside the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s clinic, which is attached to the hospital. Those renovations are expected to be completed in a couple of months.
Also, three students on bursary are going through their ultrasound sonography training. The hospital is supporting their education in return for them coming back to work at the hospital when they’re finished.
“In two years, they will be looking to move to our community, and they’re under a return of service agreement to start their careers in Estevan,” said Hoffort.
Hoffort hopes that ultrasound services can be part of the hospital for the long-term.
