Regina Breast Health Centre to begin accepting patients in April

In response to questions from the Opposition NDP in the legislature on Tuesday, the Saskatchewan government announced its new Breast Health Centre in Regina will open in April — about a month behind schedule.

NDP health critic Vicki Mowat said the province failed on a promise to open the new facility at Regina Centre Crossing by the end of the fiscal year, or the end of March.

Mowat said it's another of example of the province failing to keep its promises around health care.

"We've seen them make these announcements, which can make for a good news day, but when it actually comes to following through and providing healthcare for the people of the province, they are failing to deliver on that promise," Mowat said.

After questions on the topic from Mowat and NDP Leader Carla Beck on Tuesday, Premier Scott Moe revealed that the facility is scheduled to hold its grand opening ceremony on April 14 and begin treating patients on April 23.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said everything he'd seen about the breast health centre said it would open in spring 2025.

A news release accompanying the facility's construction in June 2024 mentioned that it was expected to open its "doors this fiscal year."

Cockrill defended the government by pointing to the number of people that will be helped by the facility once it is open.

"We expect 1,600 women a year to go through this Regina Breast Health Centre. That is significant," Cockrill said.

He said that during construction the province was able to acquire new space at the Regina Centre Crossing, allowing its lymphedema clinic to move over from the Pasqua Hospital to the new facility.

The health minister said hiring at the breast health centre has been completed and that 13 full-time employees will staff the new facility.

Cockrill said when he toured the centre a few weeks ago construction was "pretty much done." The province is currently setting up equipment and IT systems, and starting to train staff, he added.

The Opposition said the health minister doesn't deserve a pat on the back for opening the facility a month behind schedule while continuing to send women to Calgary for breast cancer diagnosis procedures.

Saskatchewan recently extended that program for another year due to the ongoing backlog.

"We will remain watchful to see how this how this opening rolls out," Mowat said.