Nova Scotia Health taps HR firm to reduce MRI, ultrasound backlogs

Nova Scotia's health authority has signed a contract to bring in diagnostic imaging techs to help with backlogs for MRIs and ultrasounds.

The health authority signed a one-year untendered contract with British Columbia-based ProMed HR Solutions in January, with an optional one-year extension. The contract, which could be worth as much as $17.9 million, is similar to those used with travel nurse agencies to address shortages among nursing ranks.

The province's procurement rules allow the government to bypass public tenders in circumstances deemed to be urgent, specialized or exceptional.

A spokesperson for Nova Scotia Health described the deal with ProMed as a "no-spend commitment standing offer."

"It's a pay-as-you-go type of environment," Health Minister Michelle Thompson said in an interview on Friday.

Wait times for diagnostic imaging in Nova Scotia are among the longest in the country.

Wait times by the numbers

According to the most recent figures on the health authority website, 90 per cent of patients wait 291 days or less for an ultrasound, while 50 per cent of patients wait up to 35 days. For an MRI, 90 per cent of patients wait for 335 days or less, while 50 per cent of patients wait up to 64 days.

Information provided by the minister showed that from April to December of 2024, MRI volume increased by 69 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, according to the minister. Ultrasound volume has increased 41 per cent from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

Thompson said the contract with ProMed creates an opportunity to bring in a new workforce as required. It will allow the health authority to extend service hours at some hospitals or temporarily fill vacancies that exist throughout the system.

"We're working really hard to get those diagnostic imaging wait lists down," she said.

"We need to look at where there are vacancies, where there's capacity and Nova Scotia Health will look at where those resources are required. It's a shame to have a piece of equipment sitting because of staffing [shortages]."

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While efforts continue to recruit permanent staff to fill vacancies, Thompson said the health authority must rely on private companies to help cover gaps.

A health authority spokesperson said it's not possible to predict how many more ultrasounds or MRIs will be carried out as a result of the contract with ProMed.