Quebec radiologists are concerned about what is going to happen with ultrasound services in the new year.
This summer Health Minister Gaetan Barrette promised to extend medicare coverage to ultrasound tests in private clinics.
Quebec's Federation of Medical Specialists agrees with that goal.
But the radiologists say if Barrette moves too quickly the system might not be able to cope with the demands.
Dr Vincent Oliva
"And that's what we don't want, we're afraid of that because we're not ready," said Dr. Vincent Oliva. "The health system is complex, we have to do it slowly, gradually, we have to train technologists and build up the services. So if he wants to do it progressively fine. Overnight it's not going to work."
The specialists say Quebec should, as a first step, make better use of underused ultrasound resources in hospitals.
This week Barrette announced extra health spending to increase services in hospitals for diagnostic tests including MRIs and colonoscopies, and to increase the operating hours for hospital operating rooms.
In July it was estimated 10,000 people were on waiting lists for ultrasounds in Quebec.
