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In Canada, our health care is paid for through taxes and funded by the government, yet not all services are covered and imaging in some provinces – like MRI scans – can be public or private. It can be confusing.
The biggest health care service provider in Alberta is Alberta Health Services (AHS) and in Saskatchewan it’s the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). Through them you have access to a range of health care, such as laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, emergency services, medical tests, visits with a doctor, nurse, mental health counsellor, etc.
Imaging services covered under both AHS and SHA may be provided at provincial health centres, or at community clinics – like Mayfair Diagnostics, which is owned and operated by physicians. Either way, when accessing public services at these sites you’ll be asked to show your provincial health card. Some of these facilities also offer private imaging services which can be paid for through supplementary health insurance, employer health spending accounts, or out of pocket.
When it comes to diagnostic imaging services, Mayfair Diagnostics’ experienced team uses state-of-the-art technology to serve over 700,000 patients each year through a combination of community-based medical imaging services. This includes performing publicly covered services at one of our 16 community clinics, and privately paid computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
At Mayfair, we offer private MRI services as a compliment to the public health care system. Our community-based private MRI exams serve patients who, for a variety of reasons, may be unable to wait for an MRI within the public system and choose to pay for their MRIs privately.
Some patients, who have been dealing with chronic pain or a disability, have exhausted conservative treatment options, like rest, physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, medication, etc. without improvement and still do not have a clear diagnosis for their symptoms. In these cases, MRI can be helpful by providing a really detailed look at what’s going on inside the patient.
MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to provide very clear images of areas of the body, without radiation. Since treatment plans are most effective when there is a clear understanding of the source of symptoms, MRI can clarify the diagnosis and better direct therapy.
Through Mayfair Diagnostics’ community-based private MRI services, patients receive high quality imaging paralleling that in the hospital, but with easier access. Mayfair’s very experienced staff includes highly qualified technologists and support staff, and specialized radiologists who interpret the images.
Mayfair Diagnostics’ team of radiologists has sub-specialty expertise in neuroradiology, body, cardiac/chest, breast, and musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, to name a few. As imaging technology and techniques evolve, sub-specialized interpretation ensures that patients receive a thorough diagnosis, allowing them to save time and focus on treatment options. Often this puts patients on the path to recovery quicker.
Whether it’s identifying a targeted area for treatment with surgery or an injection, finding an illness early, or excluding serious pathology, a clear diagnosis can provide peace of mind for patients.
Whether public or private, an MRI must be requested by a health care practitioner. To determine whether an MRI is recommended, patients and their doctors often review how long symptoms have been present, how they affect daily activities, what therapies have been tried, and what imaging exams, like X-ray or ultrasound, have shown. They may also look at different treatment options, their possible outcomes and risks, and whether a private MRI is appropriate for their situation.
If a private MRI scan is indicated as the best next course of action for a patient, a requisition will be provided and the appointment can be booked. It’s important to note that while an MRI doesn’t use radiation, it is a very large magnet and patients will need to ensure they are properly screened (for internal metal objects) and changed prior to their exam.
For more information about MRI scans, please visit our MRI services page.
MyHealthAlberta (2022) “Know Your Options.” www.myhealth.alberta.ca. Accessed September 28, 2022.
Government of Alberta (2022) “Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).” www.alberta.ca. Accessed September 28, 2022.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (2022) “Your Health: Conditions, Illnesses, Services & Wellness.” www.saskhealthauthority.ca. Accessed September 28, 2022.
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We foster a supportive and collaborative culture designed to encourage positive patient experiences and build strong working relationships across the organization:
Our core values shape the way we work with patients, partners, and fellow employees. And, more than anything else, they’re what set Mayfair apart. In everything we do, this is what we strive for:
EXCELLENCE
We share a commitment to high quality and excellence in all that we do. This commitment calls on all of us to achieve the very best of our capabilities and exceed our own expectations.
CURIOSITY
We innovate in everything, from services to processes. We believe meaningful change and effective problem solving come only by looking at challenges and opportunities from new angles and by exercising our creativity and curiosity.
PASSION
We show pride, enthusiasm, and dedication in everything that we do. We are committed to producing and delivering high-quality results and services. We are passionate about our industry and about our company, services, partners, and patients.
COLLABORATION
Our team is supportive of each other’s efforts; we are loyal to one another; and we care for one another both personally and professionally. We promote and support a diverse, yet unified, team. We work together to meet our common goals across Mayfair clinics, locations, and geographies. Only through collaboration on ideas, technologies, and talents can we achieve our mission and vision.
SERVICE
We take pride in delivering exceptional service every day. We listen to every request with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to go above and beyond to create memorable, personalized experiences. We take responsibility to answer our referrers’ and patients’ requests and respect their time by always responding with a sense of urgency.
Start a career with Mayfair Diagnostics — one of Western Canada’s leading medical imaging teams.
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, we’ve been helping people f ind clarity for their health for over 100 years. At our clinics in Calgary and area, Regina, and Saskatoon, our team of radiologists, technologists, and support staff work in a truly integrated way to provide exceptional experiences for our patients. Joining our team is more than a job. It’s an investment in your future — a plan for success.
OUR PEOPLE
Our people share our quest to make a difference in our patient’s lives. We’re a team of professionals, disciplined in our skills and compassionate with our patients, providing the care and attention they need. At our core, we are a trusted partner in our patients’ health care journey. Our patients, physicians, and other health care providers rely on us for quality imaging to help manage their patient’s health care decisions with certainty. But our business is about more than just imaging. It’s about building lasting relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we meet.
OUR VISION
A world in which every person has clarity about their health. We push the boundaries of what is possible and embrace change as an opportunity. We strive to be thought leaders and encourage creativity by providing a safe place for calculated risk taking. We learn from our mistakes. We share best practices across our operations and are recognized by our peers for our work. We engage the best to help propel us forward in achieving our goals.
