The P.E.I. government has struck an agreement to cover magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for Islanders at a private Summerside clinic, a move Health P.E.I. says will cost the province an estimated up to $720,000.
The arrangement is aimed at easing pressure on MRI capacity at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown and reducing the need for some patients to travel off-Island for imaging. Health P.E.I. data cited by the department show wait times for non-urgent MRI scans reaching as long as 107 days.
Why the deal was made
Provincial officials have been seeking ways to shorten waits for diagnostic imaging, which physicians use to detect tumours and assess a range of conditions in the brain, liver and other organs. The Summerside Diagnostic Imaging Centre will be the first private clinic in the province to provide publicly funded MRI scans under this agreement.
Health P.E.I. confirmed the projected cost in an emailed statement to media and said the first publicly funded scans at the Summerside clinic were expected to begin this month.
Previous out-of-province arrangement
The Summerside arrangement follows an earlier agreement with a private clinic in Moncton that provided imaging for Islanders. That contract ended on March 31. Health P.E.I. said the Moncton agreement cost the province $3.8 million and delivered 2,600 MRI appointments for Island patients.
"While Health P.E.I. does not currently have a contract with the MRI facility in Moncton, the health needs of Islanders are continuously being assessed and additional capacity will be added as required to maintain appropriate service levels," the department said.
The statement indicates the province is monitoring demand and may seek additional capacity if necessary, but it does not specify thresholds or timelines for further contracts.
What this means for patients
For Islanders facing long delays for non-urgent MRIs, the Summerside option should reduce travel and potentially shorten wait times for some categories of scans. The government has not published detailed criteria for which patients will be eligible to receive scans at the Summerside clinic under public funding.
- Cost to province: up to $720,000 for Summerside agreement
- Recent Moncton contract: $3.8 million for 2,600 appointments (ended March 31)
- Current reported wait time: up to 107 days for non-urgent MRI scans
Patients and referring physicians will likely want clarity about referral pathways, prioritization protocols and whether urgent and semi-urgent cases will be affected. Health P.E.I. said only that capacity will be adjusted as required to maintain service levels.
Costs and capacity: a snapshot
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost — Summerside agreement | $720,000 |
| Moncton agreement cost (ended) | $3.8 million |
| Appointments delivered by Moncton contract | 2,600 |
| Reported max wait for non-urgent MRI | 107 days |
Publicly funded use of private imaging capacity is not new in Atlantic Canada, but it raises questions about long-term planning, in-province capacity building and whether temporary contracts will become recurring spending to meet demand.
The Summerside clinic deal offers immediate capacity relief, but Health P.E.I.'s brief statement left several operational details unspecified: which types of MRI scans will be provided, how scheduling will be integrated with hospital-based services, and whether Islanders who previously travelled to Moncton will be prioritised.
Island patients waiting for diagnostic imaging often face not only health uncertainty but travel costs and logistical hurdles. A locally available, publicly funded option could reduce those burdens — provided the program is accessible and clearly communicated to physicians and patients.
Health officials say they are continuing to assess Islanders' imaging needs and will add capacity when required. Islanders seeking information about MRI referrals should consult their family physician or the health authority for guidance on booking and eligibility.
This report will be updated if Health P.E.I. provides further details on implementation, eligibility and expected timelines for scans at the Summerside Diagnostic Imaging Centre.
